TAXILA: Pakistan is on the path to prosperity and citizens will benefit from the policies of the present government soon, President Dr Arif Alvi said on Wednesday.

The present was speaking at the annual Parents’ Day function at Cadet College Hassanabdal. Talking about the education sector, the president said over 200 million children are out of school and the dropout rates, especially among female students, are alarmingly high.

He said the promotion of education is a shared social responsibility and that the education sector should also focus on personality development.

He expressed concern over a recent global report which ranks Pakistan at 141, at second last, in gender equality. He said Islam guarantees gender equality.

The president urged students to play their role in the development of the country and to follow the Quaid-i-Azam’s principles of unity, faith and discipline.

The principal of the college, retired Maj Gen Najeeb Tariq presented the annual report of the college and said that the program for increasing the college’s strength from 100 cadets to 200 has been postponed the last many years though the PC-1 has been approved from the federal and provincial governments.

He talked about the college’s distinctions in academic, co-curricular and sports in national and international events and congratulated teachers and students for a good result.

A contingent of the college’s cadets presented a general salute to the president, followed by a parade. Cadets also conducted a PT show, a gymnastic show and tent pegging.

The trophy for the overall best performance was awarded to the Liaquat Wing.

The Sword of Honour was awarded to Ahmed Noor, who belongs to South Waziristan, for his brilliant performance in academic and co-curricular activities.

Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2018