HYDERABAD, Dec 12: Sindh Education Minister Dr Hamida Khuhro has said the provincial government is committed to increasing budget for the education sector.

She was speaking at the 13th All-Pakistan English Declamation Contest organized by the English Debating Society of the Petaro Cadet College on Saturday.

Students from 22 colleges took part in the contest. The minister praised the Petaro College for imparting quality education and promoting physical fitness. She said the real aim of education was the development of a student's whole personality.

She appreciated participants of the contest for their command over the English language. The principal and commandant of the college, Commodore M Abid Saleem, in his welcome speech said the purpose of organizing such contests was to promote cultural integration and mutual understanding among students of different regions of the country.

Later, the minister distributed trophies, shields and certificates among winners and runner-ups of the contest. Ali Abbas Rizvi of the Sadiq Public School, Bahawalpur, secured the first position, Hamid Ali of the same institution secured second, and Gemza Shah of the Bahria College, NORE-1, Karachi, secured the third position.

Consolation prizes were given to Cadet Zain Mehmood of the Pakistan Naval Academy, Karachi, and Muntazir Naqvi of the Army Public School, Hyderabad. The champion trophy was won by the Sadiq Public School, Bahawalpur, and the runner-up trophy by the Bahria College NORE-1, Karachi.