President Mamnoon Hussain Thursday appealed to the nation to stand united as country’s valiant forces were confronting the terrorists, with the full backing of the people.
Addressing the 62nd Convocation of the Comsats Institute of Informatioin Technology (CIIT) at the Convention Centre, the president also asked the nation to pray for the success of its Armed Forces.
The president mentioned the sad incident in Lahore and said he, the government and the entire nation were deeply saddened over the loss of precious lives. He prayed Allah to bless those who lost their lives and for courage to their families to bear the deaths of their loved ones with equanimity.
Moreover, the president expressed satisfaction over the constitution of a judicial tribunal and said he was confident that full justice would be done in the light of its findings. He said the outcome of the tribunal would not only help determine those responsible, but also help in pursuing the legal course of action.
The event was attended by Minister for Science and Technology and CIIT Chancellor Zahid Hamid, Comsats Executive Director and Board of Governors Chairman Dr Imtinan Ilahi, Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, Comsats Rector Dr Syed Mohammad Junaid Zaidi, members Board of Governors and Academic Council, large number of students, faculty and parents.
Addressing the gathering, the president urged the centres of higher learning to focus on research and development so as to excel in their respective areas of specialisation.
The president said progress in Science and Technology was the key factor for success in the ecnomic development of any country. He said advancement in modern technology would help Pakistan prosper in diverse fields.
President Hussain said investment in education in general and in higher education in particular, was important for social and economic development of a country, and said it was one of the reasons that the government was focusing on the promotion of advanced and technical education.
In this regard, he mentioned Prime Minister’s Youth Development and Fee Reimbursement programmes which have been launched to fully utilise the potential of the youth.
The president said the laptop scheme would also help improve the skills of the students and help them compete with the contemporary world. He said the youth of the country have a high potential and all they required was good guidance to help them in their future lives.
Furthermore, the president said the nation has pride in its capable youth who have brought laurels to the country in different fields. He said Pakistan was facing a number of social and economic issues, however the government was tackling these matters with a high degree of prudence and competence.
He mentioned the issue of law and order and the energy crisis that were hampering the progress of the country. In this regard, he mentioned the Vision-2025 that would usher in an era of sustainable economic development and social justice.
The president lauded the role of Comsats since its establishment 14 years back and said it has played a key role in providing latest quality education for the youth. He noted that 30,000 students were currently enrolled at different campuses across the country. He appreciated its expansion into the remote areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Karachi Sindh and Gwadar Balochistan as it would provide quality education to the students residing there. He asked the CIIT to come up with recommendations for the government to improve power generation and power distribution network in the country.
The president felicitated the young graduates and their parents on their success and attributed it to the dedication of the teachers, hard work of the students and prayers of their parents. He termed the Convocation a milestone in the lives of the students that would help them step into practical lives at the culmination of their education. He hoped the young graduates will play their key role in the development and prosperity of the country.
The president urged the students for specialisation in their particular fields of expertise so as to bring progress and prosperity to the country. He also asked them to serve the humanity with dedication and devotion.
‘WE CAN’T PROGRESS WITHOUT WOMEN’:
Separately in a meeting with a delegation headed by National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) Chairperson Khawar Mumtaz at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, President Mamnoon Hussain said the goal of inclusive socio-economic development, remained elusive till the women were brought into national mainstream and afforded ample opportunities to fully participate in developmental process.
The president underscored the important role of the commission towards examining and reviewing the existing laws and policies to facilitate the government in implementation of international instruments and obligations. He said the government was committed towards the welfare of women and was taking measures for their socio-economic empowerment, safeguarding their rights and ensuring equal opportunities for them.
The president said that it was a matter of great satisfaction that the Government was taking concrete measures for the socio-economic uplift of the women in the country.