KOHAT: State minister for saffron and narcotics control Sheharyar Afridi has urged students to pay full attention to research in science and technology, and also involve themselves in co-curricular activities to be better able to meet the future challenges.

He was speaking as the chief guest on the occasion of the 24th parents’ day of the Garrison Cadet College Kohat here on Monday.

General Officer Commanding of the Army’s 9th division, Maj-Gen Asad Nawaz Khan was also present.

The minister said he had also studied at the same college when facilities were not up to the mark. Now with all available modern facilities the students should pay all attention to their studies, he added.

Brig Nadeen Akhtar, the college principal, presented the annual progress report, saying that the college was acting as a nursery for preparing future officers of the armed forces, engineers, doctors and scientists.

A march past was held and smartly-turned out contingents of six houses of the college presented salute to the chief guest.

Students also displayed their skills in gymnastics, judo karate and other games.

Then trophy for best cadets in academics was won by Shahzeb Khan and Mohammad Saheer, best in academics by Afaq Ahmed; Ali Hamza, was declared the best cadet, whereas the champion trophy was grabbed by Ghazali House.

SPORTS GALA: The first-ever sports gala concluded at the newly-constructed polo and saddle ground in the Kohat cantonment.

GOC 9th division Maj-Gen Asad Nawaz Khan and former governor Lt-Gen retired Syed Iftikhar Hussain were the chief guests.

Special guests like squash icons Jehangir Khan, Jan Sher Khan, Qamar Zaman, cricketers Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan and motivational speaker Hamad Saafi were awarded prizes.

The winners of pet shows and polo match were also awarded.

The festivities included red parade display, jumping show, paragliding, free fall jump, zip line display, fireworks, polo match, horse dancing, tent pegging, trick ride, pet show, breed display of dogs, etc.

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2019