HYDERABAD, Sept 7: Former ambassador Najmul Saqib Khan has stress the need for national unity and joint efforts to achieve the goals of development. He was speaking on the “Japanese experience and nation-building in Pakistan” organized by the Area Study Centre Far East and South East Asia at the Allama I.I.Kazi Central Library, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, on Tuesday.

He said that Japan had introduced universal education system, abolished feudal system and modernised its industry to become an economic power. He said education is the only key to nation-building and stressed the need for trust and confidence between the people and the state.

He said that at the initial stage Japan carefully studied the development process of developed nations of the world and then started reforms for its own development. He said that realizing the importance of the primary education it introduced the universal Elementary Education System as far back as 1871.

Mr Khan who is also the author of the book entitled “Japanese Experience and Nation-Building in South East Asia,” said Japan’s total population is 120 million and it has mobilized its human resources significantly through education, especially skilled education, for development of the nation. He said Japan has 11 Noble laureates while China has 3 and India 3 or 4.

He said that although Japan has no natural resources, except minerals, yet it has become a role model of development for others by harnessing its human resources and fixing priorities.

He said that Japan has opened the doors of education for all the people with equal facilities and uniform education system.

The former diplomat pointed out that Japanese are a disciplined, conscientious and hard working nation. He said that Japanese and Germans rebuilt their countries with concerted efforts after the Second World War.

He said that Japan is a high technology society which is also a major donor to the under developed countries.

He said that for the development of a strong Pakistan the people will have to work hard. He said that we will have to develop a “performing society” to make Pakistan strong and prosperous and added that education must receive top priority.

Speaking on the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sindh, Mr Mazharul Haq Siddiqui, said that goals of development can only be achieved through national efforts.

He said that the primary education can play key role for the national development and added that ‘we must focus our eyes on primary education.’

Dr Lutfullah Mangi, Director of the Area Study Centre and others also expressed their views while students and faculty members asked questions.

PAF: The PAF Information and Selection Centre, Hyderabad, has announced that the registration for commissioning in support branches of the PAF was in progress.