October 20, 2006	Friday	Ramazan 26, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Oct 19: Eleven-year-old Mohammad Affan Yasin who studied at home because his poor parents could not afford to send him to school became the youngest student to pass matriculation exam last August.

His feat was recognised by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz who received him on Thursday and awarded him Rs20,000 and announced that the government would finance his education up to B.A.

The young boy from Lahore is currently doing his I Com at a college in Lahore.

Affan, born on March 3, 1995, belongs to a family with modest income. He quit school after grade III due to the family’s financial problems and did his matriculation as a private student in August 2006.

Affan told the prime minister that he wished to join the armed forces when he reaches the required age. He said he devoted eight to 10 hours daily to his studies, watched cricket occasionally and had other hobbies.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Affan had set an example for other children that “if you really put an effort and do your best, you can achieve your goals”.

The prime minister congratulated his parents on encouraging him to pursue education. “Education is the most important asset for the young generation and only education can help them meet the challenges of the future and help them participate in the development of the country,” he said.

The father of the boy appreciated the government’s gesture in financing his son’s college education. Affan has six brothers and sisters who are all studying. His father said he was doing his best to provide education to the whole family for their better future.