RAWALPINDI, May 21: President General Pervez Musharraf appreciated the achievements of National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) and stressed upon the need for achieving Universal Primary Education and literacy targets , in a meeting with the district nazims here on Friday.

The President was briefed by Nazims from 16 districts including Attock, Badin, Ghotki, Jafferabad, Karak, Mansehra, Mardan, Mastung, Narowal, Noshehro Feroz, Pishin, Qila Saifullah, R. Y. Khan, Rajanpur, Thatta and Bajaur Agency where NCHD has initiated its programme in primary education, primary health care and capacity building.

Children between 5-7 years age have been enrolled in many new primary schools that have been opened in these districts, and a district-wise breakdown was presented to the president.

President Musharraf stressed the need for making the schools available to every child in Pakistan. He highlighted the importance of introducing regular subjects of English, Science, Mathematics and Pakistan Studies at the madressahs as well in order to bring them into the mainstream of the education system.

The President said that he was pleased that NCHD was performing on the ground in these 16 districts and providing support not only in education and health, but more importantly in building the capacity of local government.

He directed Chairman NCHD that this programme must be expanded to cover the entire country and assured of his full backing and support in this regard. The Federal Minister for Education Begum Zobaida Jalal, Chairman NCHD, Dr. Nasim Ashraf and other senior officials were also present in the meeting. - APP