Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Finance, Taimur Saleem Jhagra has said that Pakistan has the great potential to achieve the objective of true progress and economic prosperity. He was speaking as a chief guest at the 28th batch induction ceremony at Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology Swabi on Saturday.
The ceremony was attended by Engr. Shamsul Mulk, president of Society for the Promotion of Engineering Sciences and Technology in Pakistan (SOPREST), Shakil Durrani, Executive Director, Jehangir Bashar, Rector of GIK Institute, Prof. Dr. Habibullah Jamal, Pro-Rector (Academics), Ahsan Baseer Sheikh, Pro-Rector (Admin and Finance), academia and students.
Taimur said that Pakistan needs competent and motivated manpower to tackle the problems of poverty, ignorance, and underdevelopment. "We have to strengthen our economy and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has given top priority to achieve the aim of a vibrant economy," he said.
Taimur graduated from GIK Institute said that Pakistan faces the problem of power shortage, serious water issues, and numerous other problems. If we really wanted to resolve these issues we have to render sacrifices and everyone should contribute by his/her own capacity, he said. The finance minister who is grandson of former president of Pakistan and GIK founder, Ghulam Ishaq Khan said that Pakistan talented youth have capability to face the new emerging challenges with great determination.
"We have to fundamentally transfer our institutions, especially education to achieve the outlined objectives and deliver according to the needs and requirements of the country" he said. Advising the young students, he said that this is the beginning of a new period of search for knowledge, a journey towards excellence and brilliance. "It is my firm belief that the future of our nation hinges on how our younger generations shape to accept the great challenge of national reconstruction and economic development," he said.
He recalled that during his student life he had learnt to compete, to fight, to win, to display courage and take risks to deliver. "In fact, GIK prepared me for life. It's really great place to learn," he said. Advising the fresh students, he said that use the fascinating facilities of GIK Institute because the Institute was established with a great vision which has produced the future leaders of industry.
Engr. Shamsul Mulk paid rich tributes to former president of Pakistan and founder of Institute, Ghulam Ishaq Khan. Jehangir Bashar, Rector of GIK Institute said that the students inducted in the Institute will have the opportunity to meet different researchers and educators with large differences in academic focus at GIK.
"We are very protective of our reputation. We give you the freedom, and space, and opportunity, to do your own thing but we shall come down very hard on you in case you fail to conduct yourselves in a manner expected of a student of GIK," he said.
Dr. Habibullah Jamal said that the academia of GIK Institute believe in continuous progress and improvement. "We have spent a good deal of time thinking about what type of engineers should produce," he said. He said that they produce engineers who could meet the needs of the industry on one hand and deliver according to the expectations.