LAHORE: (Wednesday, October 18, 2023): Governor Punjab / Chancellor Punjab University Muhammad Balighur Rehman has said that the role of youth is important for the development of Pakistan and the youth should play their full role in taking the country towards a knowledge economy Youth is our the most precious asset, on whom investment is the best investment, he added. He was addressing the Prime Minister Laptops Distribution ceremony Phase-III at Al Raazi Hall here on Wednesday. On this occasion, PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood, Registrar Dr Ahmad Islam, Director General Information Technology Prof Dr Kamran Abid, Director-in-charge of Higher Education Commission Lahore Chaudhry Ghafoor Ahmed, representatives of Punjab Higher Education Commission, faculty members and a large number of students were present.

In his address, Muhammad Balighur Rehman said that there is a need to develop skills among the youth so that they can shine the name of the country and the nation inside and outside Pakistan. He said that the future of humanity and Pakistan is connected with merit, balance and transparency. He said that in the modern era, the digital divide is increasing and those who have access to technology are moving ahead and those who don't have access are left behind. He said that Pakistan's software exports are increasing and the world is fan of Pakistani software engineers’ gaming products. He said that Pakistan is moving fast among e-lancing countries, which is a welcoming thing. He said that it is a matter of pleasure that laptops are being distributed on merit to encourage students. He said that laptops are being distributed without any political and religious affiliation. He said that the impression on social media that we are giving laptops to the youth to win them is completely wrong. He said that during the time of Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif governments, when the laptop scheme was launched, only merit was given the first priority. He said that we have distributed hundreds of thousands of laptops purely on merit which changed the destiny of young students. He said that educated people make decisions based on logic and facts and our educated youth should also vote for the party they like best. He said that a disappointed nation can never progress and we must identify the elements that are spreading disappointment. He said that we have to get the nation out of disappointments for which positive aspects have to be highlighted. He said that some elements consider it good to tarnish Pakistan and harm the country and nation. He said that respect for each other's opinion is necessary to make the society beautiful. He said that teachers have to take steps for character building of students. He said that our religion has taught us not to believe in hearsay, but to do research, whereas today everything we hear is accepted and forwarded on social media. He said that even today, efforts are being made to promote anger and negative thinking among the youth due to the its negative usage. He said that accusations were made against us that the commission was being made out of the hospitals we built, then why didn't the same people build hospitals during their time? He said that by keeping the laptop scheme closed from 2018 to 2022, anger was filled among the hearts and minds of the youth. He said that from 2018 to 2022, the heaviest loans in the history of Pakistan were taken and people were told about inflation by accepting IMF conditions. He said that in the last year of their government, an attempt was made to default Pakistan by halting the prices of petroleum products. He said that if the government formed under the leadership of Shahbaz Sharif had not taken timely measures, the dollar and inflation would not have come under anyone's control. He said that despite the country being on the brink of default, Shahbaz Sharif did not forget to give laptops to the shining students. He said that the world is paying tribute to us for the teaching of the Holy Quran in schools and laptops. He said that in 2015, we formed the National Curriculum Council, which was greatly encouraged by Nawaz Sharif. He said that in 2018, the Holy Quran was being taught in all the schools in Islamabad. He said that our next goal is to ensure Quran education in private schools as well, while the translation of the Quran will be taught from the sixth to the twelfth grade. . He said that during our previous regime, the first combined translation of the Holy Quran was prepared in which scholars of all religions were included. He said that during 2018 to 2022, the number of out-of-school children has increased as a result of poor policy and unfortunately Pakistan has become number 1 country on this issue. He said that the higher education budget was increased from 34 billion rupees in 2013 to 120 billion rupees in 2018 during the PML-N regime. He said that the ranking of Transparency International is an indicator that corruption has increased in the country under whose government. Addressing the ceremony, Dr. Khalid Mehmood said that on the instructions of the Governor Punjab, Punjab University is working according to merit and law. He said that 117,000 children applied online for admissions in Punjab University this year and 18,000 students were given admission on 100% merit. He said that hostels were also given to 2 thousand children on merit. He said that 3,600 students are getting laptops in Punjab University, which has certainly encouraged our children. He hoped that the use of laptops would help students in research. Dr. Kamran Abid said that students are playing their role in the digital knowledge-based economy with laptops and the trend of freelancing is developing in the country. He said that we are starting various computer programs with the support of various institutions. He said that free internet facilities are being provided to the students in the campus while many issues in the campus are now being handled under the digital system. Later, Governor Punjab distributed laptops among 26 students in the ceremony.