LAHORE, April 13: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Wednesday urged the public, civil society, the government and the Pakistan Army to raise voice against US drone attacks, saying increasing number of such assaults are breeding suicide bombers and terrorism in society. “The whole nation must strongly resist the drone attacks. The terrorism will automatically be controlled if drone attacks are stopped. Deaths of innocent people in drone attacks are pushing the affected families to wear suicide jackets,” Mr Sharif said at the 5th annual certificate-awarding ceremony of Rangers Institute of Technical Education (RITE) at Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) Headquarters.

He said terrorism and extremism were the most serious challenges the country was facing and that sacrifices being rendered by army, police, other law-enforcement agencies and the nation were unprecedented and a proof of their commitment to root out the twin menaces.

He said sacrifices rendered in war against terrorism were much more than those rendered during wars against external enemies.

“To resolve the problems and root out terrorism and extremism, a new system on the pattern of Misaq-e-Madina will have to be evolved for ensuring equitable distribution of resources, bridging divide between the rich and the poor, establishing supremacy of law and provision of equal opportunities to progress to all members of society.”

He said RITE was playing a commendable role in imparting technical training to youth and such programmes could help overcome poverty and unemployment in the country.

The chief minister announced Rs2,000 monthly stipend for each student receiving training at RITE, saying funds would also be provided for the purchase of modern machinery for the institute in the light of the recommendations of the committee set up for the purpose.

Appreciating the standards of training at RITE, Sharif said now it was a challenge for Tevta as well as other vocational institutes of the country to adopt such standards.

He said the Punjab government was implementing a revolutionary programme for the promotion of technical education and a skilled workforce was being developed in accordance with the market needs.

He said though military operation was important to root out terrorism, there was also a need for promoting social and economic activities in society.

The chief minister said technical training centers were also being established in model villages built for the flood-affected people.

He expressed the hope that nefarious designs of extremist and terrorist groups who wanted to mislead the youth would be foiled.

He said families of army officers and Jawans who laid down their lives in the defence of the country could also apply for houses under the Ashiyana Housing Scheme. He said the government would make the down payment of Rs250,000 for the quota allocated for widows and martyrs in the scheme.

Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) Director General Maj Gen Muhammad Nawaz, on the occasion, said 21 schools and collages had been established by Pakistan Rangers where quality education was being provided to boys and girls.

He said 15 seats had been reserved for FATA, 10 for Balochsitan, 10 for quack-hit and flood-affected districts, 10 for martyrs and two for the disabled in RITE.

Earlier, the chief minister witnessed an exhibition of products designed by the institute’s students. He also awarded certificates to the students who achieved top positions in various courses.

The Rangers DG presented a shield to the chief minister.