LAHORE, May 4: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said Pakistan will live forever while collective efforts are needed for national progress and development and ensuring a glorious future for the country.

The chief minister said this while addressing the first convocation of Fazaia College of Education for Women in Cantonment here on Wednesday. He announced three buses for the college, says a handout.

Provincial Education Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, MNA Saad Rafiq, Pakistan Air Force Women Association President Begum Farzana Rao Qamar, Air Commodore Dr Ijaz Ahmed Malik and PAF officers were also present.

The chief minister said the importance of developing indigenous resources for attaining a self-reliance goal had become more pressing than ever. He said more than 50 per cent population of the country comprised women and the progress and prosperity could not be achieved without bringing them into national mainstream.

Mr Shahbaz said the participation of women in the national development was essential and they would have to work side by side with men in various sectors.

He said educating a woman was educating a family, adding that women after acquiring education should join practical life and play their due role in different sectors.

He said Pakistan could regain its lost status in the comity of nations if men and women made joint efforts for national growth.

The chief minister congratulated the parents of girl students who had received BA and BSc degrees.

He said the Fazaia College for Women was playing an important role in imparting education to women and all-out assistance would be extended to the institution.

Earlier, the chief minister gave away degrees and medals to students who had completed their education and achieved prominent positions in the examination.

Air Marshal Wasimuddin, Air University Vice-Chancellor Dr Ijaz Malik and principal Naaz Gul Syed also spoke on the occasion.