HASANABDAL, Oct 25: President Gen Pervez Musharraf said on Saturday the government had adopted a holistic approach towards the promotion of education and was striving for the creation of an environment that would enable the younger generation to harness Pakistan’s tremendous potential and steer it to the heights of development.

Addressing the students of the Cadet College, Hasanabdal, on the occasion of annual prize distribution ceremony, the president said a sustained focus on human resource development through promotion of education at all levels would enable the younger generation to make full use of Pakistan’s resources.

“Your generation must succeed, this nation cannot accept any more failure, you have to succeed, what we are trying to do is creating an environment to facilitate your success,” he underlined.

He urged the students to put in their best to take the nation forward in a way it deserved, with its vast resources and potential.

Punjab governor Lt-Gen (retired) Khalid Maqbool, college principal Syed Dilshad Hussain, college staff, parents of cadets and former Abdalians attended the prize distribution ceremony.

Referring to a number of steps taken during the last few years, President Musharraf said the government had been emphasizing on promotion of education from primary to higher level as it was a key to human resource development.

In this context, he referred to massive increase in the annual budget for science and technology, saying it had been increased from Rs180 million to Rs6 billion per annum.

The president called upon the students to develop a sound character and serve the nation with honesty.

Urging them to beware of corruption and nepotism, he said unless a nation was merit-oriented in every sphere of activity, it could not make progress.

He noted with appreciation that the Cadet College had, for years, been strictly adhering to the policy of admitting new students purely on the basis of merit.

He commended the standards of excellence maintained by the Cadet College over the decades and credited the faculty for the achievement.

Underscoring the vital significance of being tolerant, content, honest and truthful in life, the president said the development of an all-round personality with equal accent on physical fitness and academic achievements and a balanced approach in their dealings with their subordinates, peers and superiors would guarantee them 50 per cent of success.

He announced a grant of Rs10 million for the institution and pledged his support when it added a new campus.

He awarded certificates and medals to the outstanding cadets and announced awards of Rs100,000 for students securing first position, Rs50,000 for the second position holders and Rs25,000 for those clinching third place in examinations.

He announced a special prize of Rs200,000 for cadet Waqas Mir, who created a new record in the history of Rawalpindi Board by securing 993 marks out of a total of 1,100 in the intermediate examination, 2003.

President Musharraf also announced Rs50,000 for the best sportsman of the year and Rs25,000 each for the best individual sport performers.

Earlier, he was presented a salute by the marching cadets.

The president witnessed an exhibition of models and innovative designs of buildings, planes and a host of technological apparatus, created by the students.

In his address, the governor said the Cadet College had been a premier institution, equipping the students with imperative qualities of leadership to ensure that Pakistan’s future was in able and secure hands.

The principal of the college said the Abdalians had excelled in a variety of fields and serving the country to the best of their abilities.— APP