March, 15 2005	Tuesday	04 Safar 1426

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ISLAMABAD, March 14: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday urged the youth of Commonwealth countries to focus their energy on acquisition of knowledge, familiarize themselves with technological advancements and grab the opportunities unleashed by global integration of economies.

Speaking at a function held on the 74th Youth Day of the Commonwealth, the prime minister said: “We have to work hard for the bright future of our coming generations without compromising our values and find out long-term solutions to the problems facing us.”

Besides Pakistan, delegations of youth from eight Asian member countries of the Commonwealth attended the function. The theme of the day was ‘Education -creating opportunity, realising potential’.

The function was scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka but was shifted to Pakistan due to the tsunami.

The prime minister said events of the last decade, specially globalization, technological advancement, shift to knowledge-based economy and spread of modern terrorism had increased the need to focus on education for socio-economic uplift of people.

He said: “Today, some 75 million children around the Commonwealth states lack access to basic education that equips individuals with skill and knowledge and enables them to exploit their full potential.”

Education nurtured critical thinking and creativity, promoted ideas and innovations and enlightened and empowered individuals, leading to moderation, socio-economic development, political maturity and regional as well as global peace, he said.

He said concentration on population planning was needed to attain the objectives of prosperity and progress of people. He said the birth rate in the country had dropped from 2.2 per cent to 1.9 per cent.

Mr Aziz said social realization had become complex, free market economies reigned supreme and globalization had benefited states having strong governance structures, while others had slipped economically.

He said the six key areas of education that the Commonwealth was promoting –- universal primary education, eliminating gender disparities, improving quality, using distance learning to overcome barriers, supporting education in difficult circumstances and mitigating the impact of HIV/Aids in education –- were targeted by Pakistan through its education policy adopted four years back.

Minister for Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs Ajmal Khan presented the welcome address.