Malala Yousafzai lauds CM Punjab Parvez Elahi’s programme to introduce reforms in the education sector

LAHORE, Dec 14 (SABAH): Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai met with Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Parvez Elahi and former federal minister Moonis Elahi at CM Office on Wednesday in which activities of Malala Fund in Pakistan, future strategy and other projects came under discussion. The promotion of education in the province especially of girls education and STEAM programme was also discussed. Malala Yousafzai lauded CM Parvez Elahi’s programme to introduce reforms in the education sector and paid rich tributes to the education-friendly steps of CM Parvez Elahi.

The Chief Minister while talking with Malala Yousafzai disclosed that 25 thousand teachers would be inducted on the vacant posts in the schools across Punjab. CM announced to impose a ban on giving corporal punishment in schools and madaris on the request of Malala and added that awarding physical punishment to students in madaris and schools especially to female students will not be acceptable at all. CM assured that we would get implemented the law on giving physical punishment adding that this law will be passed from Punjab Assembly during the current month. He said that teachers will be inducted for imparting Punjabi education at the primary level adding that literacy rate will increase by adopting mother tongue as a source of providing education. The Punjab government is going to launch free transport for the female students adding that a 100 percent increase has been made in awarding stipends to female students in South Punjab. PEEF will again be functionalized and will be made effective. The STEAM programme comprising science, technology and engineering arts and mathematics will soon be implemented. Punjab government will provide all possible cooperation for opening up policy unit for the STEAM programme. A conducive environment will be provided for preparing future leaders of Punjab. He said that besides imparting traditional education to female students they are also being persuaded towards attaining technical education.

CM Punjab stated that for the first time the education of Nazra and translation of Holy Quran is being made mandatory for the students. Free residence and education is being provided to the children who are begging for alms in the child protection unit. Children being used in the camel race in Dubai will also be provided free residence and free education in the child protection unit. He stated that in the capacity of Speaker Punjab Assembly, he had awarded uninterrupted charters to the private universities for the promotion of education and made amendments in the laws and also improved prosecution service.

CM Parvez Elahi stated that Rescue 1122 service has become an example with regard to response time across the globe. The health card system of Imran Khan for providing facilities to the common man is a historic project. Rs. 100 billion has been allocated for providing free treatment through health card. The Punjab government has also included cancer treatment in the health card which will be provided free now.

CM Punjab said that Lahore Fort, Sheesh Mahal, Royal Passage have been restored and have been opened for the tourists. An environment has changed with the establishment of University of Gujrat in which 70 thousands students got themselves embraced by getting education. An Engineering University will also be established in Gujrat adding that the IT department was also built in 2002. 30 services including Abiayana are being provided on a single app in Punjab. Software development projects will be launched in the Lahore Knowledge Park.

CM said that Malala is the pride of Pakistan and the endeavours of Malala for the promotion of education are highly appreciable.

Malala Yousafzai is not only an excellent example for the women of Pakistan but also for the world. Malala Yousafzai confronted terrorism and extremism for the sake of getting education. Malala Yousafzai made love common through education and defeated hatred. Malala Yousafzai is a role model and an emulating example for others who illuminated the light of knowledge in the darkness of ignorance. Malala fund is striving to constitute such a society where every female can attain education and become a leader in future.

Parvez Elahi lauded the activities of Malala Fund and extended an invitation to Malala Yousafzai, her father Zia ud Din Yousafzai, her husband Asar Malik and the allied delegation to visit the tourism of Lahore. Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai said that she often hears and reads about CM Parvez Elahi and highly acknowledges education-friendly steps of CM Parvez Elahi. She added that the Chief Minister did invaluable work in the education sector. She said that she is proud to represent herself before the world and pronounces the name of Pakistan with pride. She said that she wants that no child of Pakistan, especially of Punjab should remain away from school adding that she wants to become the voice of female students of Punjab and is striving hard to resolve their problems. She prayed that may Allah Almighty give time and opportunity to the Chief Minister so that he can undertake further commendable steps for the promotion of female students’ education. She underscored that besides imparting religious and worldly education among the students it is inevitable to inculcate critical thinking among them as well. Developing new ideas among students along with innovative thinking and positive political views will play a pivotal role for them.

Malala Yousafzai thanked the Chief Minister for providing her a warm hospitality. To expeditiously promote steam programmes (science technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) was agreed during the meeting. Programme Director Malala Fund Pakistan Javed Ahmed Malik said that Malala Fund is focused to improve the vision of our education so as to have access to quality education along with enhancing the abilities of maximum number of females in order to empower them as well. We while working jointly with the government is ensuring the above mentioned aim so that science, technology, engineering and mathematics should be taught in high schools of female students along with providing the latest academic environment to them.

The Malala’s father Ziauddin Yousafzai, her husband Asar Malik, country head Malala Fund Pakistan Javed Ahmed, Maria Qantenia, Nida Sultan, Shehra, Chief Secretary Abdullah Khan Sumbal, Secretary Schools Education and concerned officials were also present on the occasion.