SWABI: Ms Wajiha Qamar, minister of state for education, in her address in Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology said on Thursday that the nation must get united to make Pakistan an economically vibrant and politically prosperous country.

She was addressing Digital Pakistan speed programming competition as a chief guest.

The competition had continued for the last few months in the country and the final was held at the GIK institute.

Prof Fazal Ahmad Khalid, rector GIK institute, pro-rectors, directors, academicians, students of different disciplines and competitors also attended.

The minister lauded the talent of the students, saying that her ministry encourages such competitions, giving an opportunity to the students to display their capability and excel in different fields.

She said that the economic reforms initiated by the government had resulted in boosting the country’s economic condition and its credit goes to the federal government.

She said thatthe government was working to further revolutionise contemporary education, which would definitely boost all sectors, thus contributing to the country’s economy and stability of the society.

Prof Fazal Ahmad Khalid said that the GIK institute focused on modern technology, including the emerging technologies and they also concentrated on co-curricular activities. There were over 30 registered student societies in the institute, which arranged different programmes round the year, he added.

Prof Dr Masroor Hussain, coordinator of the competition announced the winners. The team stood first was awarded Rs1.5 million, the first runner-up team received Rs1 million and the second runner-up team got Rs0.5 million.

VERDICT: A district court announced 35 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs1 million each to the four accused in a murder case here on Thursday.

The additional session’s judge, tehsil Chota Lahor, Mudassar Shah Tirmizi announced the verdict in the murder case of three citizens of Tordher, Munsif Khan, Atif Khan and Abdul Hafeez, who were murdered a few years back.

The court sentenced the accused, Maazullah, Farrukh Siyar, Nazar and Awal Sher, to 35 years punishment and a fine of Rs1 million each upon being found guilty.

The court ruled that the prosecution had proved the charges against the accused through solid evidence and witnesses.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2025