Ali Hamza, a fruit vendor by profession, who achieved second position in Matric examination in Gujranwala Board, met Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday.
The chief minister congratulated Ali Hamza, his mother and his class teacher on obtaining second position in Matric examination (Humanities Group).
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that Ali Hamza is a great son of the nation who despite economic difficult showed splendid performance in matric examination.
He said that achievement of Ali Hamza through determination and hard work despite limited resources has proved that Pakistani youth are capable to changing the course of history. He said that talented and intelligent students like Ali Hamza are a hope for the nation.
He said that the government is utilising all out resources for the progress of low income but talented youth. He said that brilliant and hard working students like Ali Hamza are a precious asset of the nation and the future of the country depends upon them.
The chief minister said that Pakistan can be transformed in accordance with the vision of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal by equipping students like Ali Hamza with education and such a country can be evolved which is based on socio-economic justice and equal opportunities are available to the children to progress.
“Education is the right of every child and it is the demand of social justice that equal educational facilities to all segments of the society especially poor children are available,” he added.
He said that the government is striving for promoting such an educational system and for this purpose, educational institutions like Daanish schools have been set up.
The chief minister said that if Ali Hamza maintains the same level of educational performance, full support will be extended to him and the government will bear all his educational expenses.
He said that Ali Hamza can receive education from any educational institution and the government will support him. He said that commitment of Ali Hamza to education is commendable who met his educational expenses by running a fruit cart. He said that education is the key to success and provision of resources for the promotion of education is useful investment.
He said that the government in order to encourage position holder students is give them cash prizes and sending them on a visit to prestigious educational institutions of European countries.
The mother of Ali Hamza informed that she is a heart patient and her husband is also ill for the last six years, therefore, it is very difficult for them to afford further education of their son.
The chief minister announced that besides paying educational expenses of Ali Hamza, the government will also bear the expenses of the treatment of the ailing parents of Ali Hamza.
The chief minister said that teachers should pay attention to the education of their students and resolve their problems.
He gave a cheque for five hundred thousand rupees and a laptop to Ali Hamza while cash prize of one hundred and fifty thousand rupees was given to his teacher Haider Ashraf. He also announced to make Government High School Daska a model school.
Secretary Higher Education was also present on the occasion.