State Minister for Education, Ghulam Farid Kathia, has termed investment in education sector as crucial to put the country on prosperous way. He expressed these views while addressing at a national seminar titled "Fikr-e-Iqbal Ki Asri Maanwiat" organised by Iqbaliat department, Allama Iqbal Open University in connection with the 131st birth anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
The minister said that the government is committed to providing educational facilities to everyone alike and in this connection a uniform system would be introduced and implemented raise standard of education at all levels. Paying tributes to Iqbal, Ghulam Kathia said that Muslims need to follow the message and idea of Allama Muhammad Iqbal to regain its lost glory and strength. His thoughts are not only for Muslims but also for the entire humanity.
He further said that Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto initiated the project of Distant Learning Education to ensure provision of education at one's doorsteps and established Peoples University that is known as Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) now. He also appreciated the research work done by Iqbaliat Department of the university. AIOU is an exemplary institution among major universities of the world. Moreover, Kathia said that Iqbal also stressed the need to get technical education to youngsters besides formal education.
The faculty of Technical and Vocational Education and Faculty of Home Economics would help facilitate students across the country. While addressing the seminar, Mehmood-ul-Hassan Butt, Vice Chancellor Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) said that Allama Iqbal believed that religion as a living force needed to be interpreted in the light of modern thought as knowledge advances and fresh avenues of thought are opened.
His teachings carry message of love for everyone. He said that Allama Iqbal is not only poet of the East but the poet of the whole humanity, adding that Iqabl's poetry supports the oppressed segment of society across the globe. Mehmood Butt said that the project of Allama Iqbal Award was initiated in 1996 for promotion of research work on Iqbal. Many scholars have received their the award completing their MPhil and PhD in Iqbaliat.
Allama Iqbal Award with cash prize of Rs 30,000 was presented to Dr Akther-un-Nisa and Dr Khalid Almas for doing their PhD in Iqbaliat while Naseem Abbas and Zahid Hassan Chukhtai were awarded Iqbal award for completing their M Phil with cash prize of Rs 20,000.
Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik said that his writings, poetry and sayings kindled a new light and aroused a sense of self-respect, realisation and determination in the Muslims. He said Allama Iqbal called for carefully watching the progress of human thought and to maintain an independent critical attitude towards it. Professor Dr Muhammad Khalid Masood, Chairman Islamic Ideology Council also addressed the seminar, Professor Dr Inam-ul-Haq Javed was also present on the occasion.