TAXILA: President Mamnoon Hussain on Wednesday said he has never attended school and has missed out on the joys of school.

The president was speaking at a parents’ day function at the Cadet College Hassanabdal where he urged students to follow in the footsteps of the Quaid-i-Azam in order to better meet the challenges that the country is facing.

When asked about the president’s comment regarding his own education, alumni relations officer at the cadet college Syed Mohammad Ali said the president was home schooled due to various reasons.

In his address, the president said that the future of the country will be safe in the hands of the younger generation, which is stable academically and physically.

He urged students to pursue higher education for the growth and development of Pakistan and not be influenced by internal and external propaganda.

He said the nation has many expectations from the younger generation and said he was confident they were being given ideal training in the cadet college.

He added that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor will be a game changer for the whole region and said students should be prepared to benefit from the opportunities that will emerge from it.

The president said the nation was indebted to the victims of the attack on Army Public School Peshawar and paid tribute to their bravery and courage and said the nation should resolve to never let a similar situation arise in the future.

The president also visited an exhibition at the college and appreciated the models displayed by various hobby clubs of the institute.

He also reviewed the annual parade in the college grounds, which was followed by a PT show, gymnastics show and a riding display.

The Champions Trophy was given to the Jinnah Wing for best performance in academic and co-curricular activities.

The college principal, retired Maj Gen Najeeb Tariq mentioned the various activities that were part of the college training programme and also mentioned the results produced by cadets.

Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2016