16 February 2005	Wednesday	06 Muharram 1426

GUJRAT, Feb 15: "Education is my mission and all energies of the Punjab government have been concentrated towards achieving this single goal," according to Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi.

Welcoming British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw at the District Hall Gujrat, the chief minister said the provincial government through its reforms had been able to attract one million girls to schools. It had made education free up to matriculation and was providing textbooks free of cost, he said.

Highlighting the Kashmir problem, he said the territory was situated not far from Gujrat. "I hosted a team of leading Indian parliamentarians some time back and told them that peace for South Asia is not matter of choice. Therefore, India should try to resolve the Kashmir problem under the UN Resolutions.

I am pleased that British Prime Minister Tony Blair has spoken about the just settlement of Kashmir and Palestinian problem. Your stance, Mr foreign secretary, is also commendable."

Throwing light on relations between the UK and Pakistan, the chief minister said the Britishers left a legacy of rule of law, integrity in public service and focus on education.

"Both our founding fathers, the Quaid-i-Azam and Allama Iqbal, were educated in England and both believed in value of education. My government has also been striving hard to carry forward the same spirit of education and taking every possible step to educate masses in the province, Mr Elahi said.