28 November 2004	Sunday	15 Shawwal 1425

ISLAMABAD, Nov 27: Pakistan is facing a serious crisis of spread of HIV/Aids which needs unreserved attention of public as well private sector, Federal Education Minister Javed Ashraf Qazi said.

He was speaking as chief guest at the convocation of a private university at the Convention Centre here on Saturday.

Speaking to the fresh medical graduates, the minister underlined that they had to realize the challenges the country was facing in general health awareness as well as in different specializations.

"We are facing a crisis in health care. Infectious diseases such as hepatitis, heart diseases, and trauma cases are on the rise, while the ratio of beds to population and the number of medical colleges in the county is low. Consequently, the social sector is facing serious difficulties," said the education minister.

"I hope the young graduates will be the torch-bearers of professional excellence with a commitment to the moral and physical wellbeing of our society," he said.

The minister said the number of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like HIV/Aids, which were not expected to exist in a truly Islamic state, was rising despite the tall claims being made by various sectors.

"I also endorse your pioneering efforts to developing a model curriculum of professional ethics for the students of medical and health sciences," he said. He asked the university administration to start a paramedical institute to meet the ever- increasing demand of paramedical staff both at national and international level.

Riphah International University, a private sector venture, will develop its independent campus spanning 200 kanals in Sihala Zone-V of Islamabad. In this connection, Mr Qazi assured the university administration of his ministry's support for getting a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

The university has already acquired the land and is waiting for the NOC to start construction of this futuristic campus, equipped with latest facilities on a par with the international universities.

Needless to say, no one can think of progress, development and enlightenment without proper education. The secret of developed nations lies in their investment in education, particularly science and technology, said the minister.

"It is key to our own Jihad against poverty and extremism. While the public sector is involved in uplift of higher education, the private sector has to play an equally important role in development of human resource needed for the sustainable development of the country," said Qazi.

Though the private sector has often been criticised for its higher cost of education, if someone was interested in getting quality education they have to pay the price for that, the minister argued.

He also lauded the services of Maj Gen (Retd) Muhammad Zulfiquar Ali Khan, founder of the Riphah International University. Mr Khan was one of the key members who had established the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology.

Zobaida Jalal, Federal Minister for Social Welfare & Special Education, was also present on the occasion as guest of honour.