Banoqabil 3.0 launched: Hafiz Naeemur Rehman urges youth not to lose hope

KARACHI, June 08 (SABAH): Tens of thousands of youth in Karachi assembled on Saturday night at the Railway Ground to appear in the aptitude test for Banoqabil 3.0 program by Alkhidmat Karachi.

The test for aspiring candidates was held by the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi, South chapter. The theme at the event was “Free Palestine”.

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan Ameer Engineer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman delivered the keynote address at the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said that the Banoqabil initiative is a big opportunity for the youth particularly in the ongoing gloomy situation.

He said that although all the indicators for growth of nations are negative but the resilient nation was still alive and there is hope among the youth for revival and bounce back.

He was of the view that the state is responsible for provision of quality education and literacy to it’s citizens but the successive corrupt regimes have failed the state in this regard.

Unfortunately, 26.2 million children are out of school in this country, he said, adding that the drop off ratio at each and every level of education is also horrible, whereas the middle class is struggling for it’s existence.

On the occasion, he said that hopeless people can’t bring in any change. He advised the youth to become agents of positive change and hope in the society.

Hopelessness among youth will empower drug lords in the society, he said and urged the participants to become volunteers for the Banoqabil program. “Sky is the limit,” he told the youth.

Talking about the future plans of the program, he said that the JI is going to offer free IT education for one million youth in the next one year.

Similarly, he said, in the next month, the program is going to extend itself to school teachers. One lac teachers will be equipped with free IT education in the next one year and these teachers will equip school going children with the desired IT skill set.

He highlighted $30 billion export potential in the IT sector and declared the IT sector as a gateway to economic revolution in the country. He expressed his hope that Karachi will be the next IT hub in the region.

He quoted experts as saying that the exports in IT sector of Pakistan clocked in at 3 billion dollars. Almost 6 billion dollars can be brought in immediately if the government places its house in order, he said.

He said that the potential for exports in the sector is 30 billion dollars and we as a nation have to explore this potential.

He also shed light on the role of youth and urged them to use the social media positively. Feel proud of Islam and Pakistan, he advised them.

JI Karachi Ameer Munem Zafar in his address advised the youth to focus on acquiring relevant skill sets.

He said that our aspirations and future are associated with Pakistan and we will have to take care of it. He advised them to change their challenges into opportunities.

Famous Cricketer Sarfaraz Ahmed also graced the occasion with his presence. He received a standing ovation at the event. Speaking on the occasion, he hailed the JI and Engr Hafiz Naeemur Rehman for this initiative.

He advised them for Namaz and hard work. He predicted that green shirts will bounce back in the cup with the June 9 match.

Banoqabil Program Country Director Naveed Ali Baig, JI leader Syed Abdul Rasheed and others also addressed the event.

Change yourself if you want to change the future of the country, said Abdul Rasheed.