LAHORE: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar says the previous government did not take any practical step other than announcing projects and the Lahore Knowledge Park project is an open proof of their incompetence as this project remained in files for 10 years.

He said the PTI government started work on Lahore TechnoPolis project which was being set up under the vision of “Excellence in Knowledge and Enterprise”. International universities will establish their campuses in Lahore TechnoPolis, he added.

The chief minister was speaking to a delegation led by Punjab Higher Education Minister Raja Yasir Humayun at the chief minister’s office on Sunday. They discussed matters regarding higher education and Mr Humayun briefed the chief minister on the measures taken by the government in the higher education sector.

At the universities in Lahore TechnoPolis, the chief minister said, due attention would be given on research of emerging technology and state-of-the-art products. He said funds would be given to the youth besides providing them business opportunities and training. He said Lahore TechnoPolis would get all the benefits under the Special Technology Zone Act (STZA) as well as tax exemption for 10 years. He said the Zone Enterprises would get exemption from property tax and PRA services tax for 10 years.

“This project will be a game changer for the new generation,” Mr Buzdar said.

The chief minister said modern education was the right of every child and the government was returning this right to them. Owing to the education-friendly policies of the government, Mr Buzdar said, 21 universities had been included in the international and Asian rankings. He said the government was going to introduce concept of the smart university in the province.

The delegation included Knowledge Park chairman Jamal Ansari, Rapid Silicon Chief Executive Officer Naveed Sharwani, IT University vice-chancellor Sarfraz Khurshid and Muhammad Humayun Qayum.

Published in Dawn, December 27th, 2021