The students selected for a four-year language course in China under a scholarship programme called on Punjab Chief Minister, Shahbaz Sharif at Chief Minister's Secretariat, here on Saturday. The Chief Minister congratulated the students on their selection for the language course and expressed his best wishes.
Talking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the future of Pakistan was linked with China and students belonging to the Punjab should learn Chinese language and serve the country. He said students after getting expertise in Chinese language would prove to be helpful in development of industrial, trade and other sectors of the country. He stressed the students to represent Pakistan in China in the real sense and concentrate toward education. He said besides learning Chinese language they should also pay attention towards obtaining knowledge about other subjects, adding the Punjab government would consider provision of financial assistance to them in this regard.
He directed the Secretary Education to evolve a comprehensive strategy for the selection of students visiting China in future under the scholarship programme and provide maximum awareness to students showing interest in this programme. The students coming up to the required standard should be selected, he added. He said China had joined developed nations and become a strong economic force and the students after
learning Chinese language should discharge the responsibility of liaison between industrialists and traders of China and Pakistan. Chief Executive Officer Punjab-China Bureau, Zafer Mehmood, Deputy Chairman Investment Board, Pir Saad Ehsan-ud-Din, and Secretary Higher Education, Arif Cheema, were also present on the occasion.