RAWALPINDI: Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan on Tuesday said the government should not privatise public sector schools.

“It is the duty of the government to overcome shortage of staff in the government run schools.” He said education and healthcare are responsibility of the government, but unfortunately governments in the past did not pay attention to it.

“We would ensure that the government pays attention on education and health sector. People should think about those who work and those who just make slogans,” he said.

“I understand the difficult situation facing by people due to inflation and we are trying to provide relief to them.”

Says education, healthcare are responsibility of govt

The governor was speaking at the eighth annual function of Ghulam Rabbani Qureshi Welfare Foundation in Kahuta. A large number of people, including former federal minister Mehreen Anwar Raja, former Member National Assembly Ghulam Murtaza Satti, attended the ceremony.

The governor said PPP always worked for the masses and when it came to dignity of the country the party always played a positive role.

“Today, if the coalition government is working, its credit goes to President Asif Ali Zardari. I am from middle class and feel the plight of the people”.

He said building a dialysis centre is a huge task. This can be understood by those who need it. A dialysis centre will soon be established at Tehsil Hospital Pindigheb in Attock district, he said.

The governor visited Al-Fateh Women Vocational Free Technical Centre, computer lab and laboratory, free kidney and dialysis centre and other departments established at Ghulam Rabbani Qureshi Welfare Foundation.

Meanwhile, the governor also participated as chief guest at a function organised at Government Associate College for Women Dhoke Hassu, Rawalpindi. College Principal Professor Shazia Jilani, ex-MNA Murtaza Satti, college faculty, students and others participated in the ceremony.

The governor distributed prizes among students who showed outstanding performance in their exams.

Speaking on the occasion, the governor said education played major role in the development of nations. Education of female students is the guarantee of our bright future. The country will develop with the education of women, he said.

He said Muslims have progressed due to education. In the past, all great scholars and scientists were Muslims.

“Unfortunately, governments in the past did not pay attention to education as it was needed.

There is no shortage of talent in Pakistan. We have to be disciplined. Negligence in education and health sectors cannot be tolerated.

The scope of education has widened. Development is possible only with the education system built on modern lines.

We will try our best to build more colleges for the education of girls,” he said.

The college principal said giving importance to education is the biggest responsibility. Earlier, the principal administered oath to the newly-elected students’ council.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2024