ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that the tenure of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government is ending on August 14 and then the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has to announce the election date.
In his address at the Launch Ceremony of Pakistan Education Endowment Fund worth Rs 14 billion and reforms in National Curriculum in Islamabad on Wednesday, the prime minister said that whosoever forms the next government after elections, top priority should be given to the education to make this nation great.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addresses the launching ceremony of Pakistan Endowment Fund for Education & Incorporation of Coding and Constitution in the National Curriculum of Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/sOigYX2Cys
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) July 12, 2023
The prime minister said that a budget of Rs 3 billion has been earmarked for the ongoing Fiscal Year 2023-24 for the endowment fund to equip the youth with education and make them builders of the nation. He also clarified that this budget will not go into the endowment fund this year but directly to the youth in the form of scholarships.
Shahbaz Sharif said that he wants to see the allocation of Pakistan Education Endowment Fund increasing to Rs 140 billion in the next 10 years saying it is only through promotion of education, the Country can be taken forward on the path of progress and development.
The prime minister recalled that Punjab Education Endowment Fund was established back in 2008 which provided scholarships to 450,000 students.
Terming the promotion of education as a sacred duty, he said that a special focus should be given to the areas which lag behind in development.
The prime minister said that we have to focus on education which is meaningful and has relevance with the modern day requirements to better compete with the world.
Shahbaz Sharif was appreciative of the financial assistance extended by China, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the difficult times. He however said that we have to do introspection to put the Country in the right direction.
