A high-level delegation of Qatar, on behalf of the education sector in Qatar, called on the Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif here today. The delegation included Resource Mobilization Manager of Special Programs Division of Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development of the Islamic Development Bank Dawood S. Al Bourshaid, Chief Executive Officer of Education Above All Fahad Hamad Hassan Al Sulaiti and other high-level officials of Qatar.
During the meeting, different matters pertaining to education, especially promotion of bilateral cooperation in skills development, came under discussion, and it was agreed that partnership between Punjab and Qatar will be promoted.
The chief minister spoke with the delegation in Arabic. The delegation appreciated the practical steps taken by the chief minister for the promotion of quality education.
CM, on the occasion, said that he is -ready to extend his cooperation for the promotion of education. He said that the promotion of education is the top priority of the Punjab government; and added that the required recourses will be provided for educating the youth. He said that the Punjab government has granted basic rights to the youth required for education. “Provision of recourses for the empowerment of the youth is not an expenditure, but a beneficial investment.” He said that empowerment of the youth through skills development is his greatest ambition.
The chief minister further said that the new generation holds the key to national development and that prosperity could only come through the joint efforts of Qatar and Punjab.
More than a hundred thousand financially-challenged students, the CM said, from all over the country, are benefiting from the PEEF which is the largest programme of its kind, not only in Pakistan but in South Asia, as well. He added that the educational stipends worth Rs 11 billion have been distributed on merit from the educational fund of Punjab. PEEF has opened the door for higher education to the bright, but deserving children of Punjab. This is not only benefiting the students from Punjab, he said, but is also benefitting students from other provinces like Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.
It is important to note that the PEEF beneficiaries are getting higher education in different national and international universities. He disclosed that Rs 5 billion will be allocated to this unique education program in the upcoming provincial budget, to increase the total budget for this programme to Rs 22 billion.
The CM further stated that 2.5 million students are getting an education through the platform of Punjab Education Foundation; while hundreds of thousands of laptops have also been given to deserving students, under the project.
The CM said that more than 80 thousand children of brick kiln workers have been enrolled in schools under by the Punjab government, the under education package; and added that every child has been provided with free books, uniform and stationery items, besides one thousand monthly stipends. Similarly, he said, parents of the school going children have also been given stipends. He added that forcing the children to work is a social evil.
The meeting mutually decided to enhance cooperation between Qatar and Punjab in skills’ development.
Provincial Minister for Schools Education Rana Mashhood Ahmed, Chairman Punjab Education Foundation Qamar ul Islam Raja, chief secretary, secretary schools education and senior officials were present on the occasion.