GILGIT, July 4: President Gen Pervez Musharraf said here on Tuesday that sectarian harmony and peace were vital for development of the Northern Areas, particularly development of tourism in the region.

He was speaking at the first convocation of the Karakoram International University here on Tuesday.

The president, who is the chancellor of the university, announced Rs50 million grant for the university and assured its administration that all their requirements would be met.

The president, who is on a three-day visit of the Northern Areas, said he had personal attachment with the region, having served here in the past. Therefore, he added, he was taking personal interest in the development of the region.

He said that it was heartening to see a university in the region but cautioned that without shunning sectarian bias and adopting the concept of enlightened moderation, people would not be able to benefit from the higher seat of learning.

President Musharraf said that the university could become an institution and could generate intellectual discourse through connectivity with universities in Central Asian states due to its proximity with them.

He assured the KIU of his cooperation in opening new departments of tourism, mineralogy and herbal medicines, keeping in view their potential of the region.

He conferred masters degrees on 124 students of the university’s first batch.

In his welcome speech, KIU Vice-Chancellor Dr Aziz Ali Najam said the university faced problems of water, electricity and communication and needed qualified faculty to run various departments; but given the low pay scales, it was becoming difficult to attract teachers of high calibre.

APP adds: President Musharraf said the government was committed to improving education system and had allocated huge funds for this vital sector.

He said government was also focusing on technical education to arrest unemployment.—APP