04 June 2004	Friday	15 Rabi-us-Saani 1425

PESHAWAR, June 3: NWFP Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah has said that real development of a society is linked to the quality of human resources, therefore the standard of educational institutions shall have to be improved.

Addressing the participants of a dinner he hosted in honour of recipients of gold medals here at the Governor's House on Wednesday, he said the government was utilizing all its resources to raise the standard of education.

The ceremony was attended by NWFP education minister Maulana Fazal Ali, Secretary Higher Education Tariq Jamil and vice-chancellors of Peshawar University, University of Engineering and Technology, Agriculture University, Hazara University, Malakand and Gomal Universities as well parents of medal winners.

He said a number of shortcomings in the education system could be identified. However, contrary to other sectors, any oversight or lapse in the education sector could not be tolerated.

The governor said: "We must activate all our resources to achieve the required level of educational excellence." In this connection he mentioned steps being taken by the federal government and said Rs5 billion were being spent in the current national budget on higher education and the amount was expected to be doubled in the coming year's budget.

The governor reminded the students that they had attained success due to the sacrifices, efforts and hardwork of their parents. Therefore, they must remember them at every stage of their life.