KOHAT, Feb 5: NWFP governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah has said promotion of women education is the focal point of the government and although top priority has been giving to the neglected field it still needs efforts to bring a lot of improvement.

Speaking at a prize distribution ceremony of the F.G. college for women on Tuesday, the governor stressed the need for inculcating a desire for knowledge and awareness among the new generation, which was a key to prosperity of individuals and society as a whole.

His wife, Begum Iftikhar, MPA Syed Qalb-i-Hassan and Malik Asad, district Nazim, were accompanying the governor. He also inaugurated the new library in the college, which has been constructed at a cost of Rs50,000.

Stressing the need for purposeful education, he said honesty, truthfulness and selfless spirit were the traits of good human beings and it should be the endeavour of the teachers to promote these qualities in the institutions.

In fact, he said the female were an important segment of the society, which comprised more than 50 per cent of the country’s population and their education was important for the growth of a balanced society.

“We are fully against gender discrimination, especially in the field of education, and this policy derives strength from Islam which stresses non-discrimination on the basis of sex,” the governor said.

Appreciating the growing trend of higher education in the society, he said the intellectuals should come out of their institutions and homes and spread knowledge in the society which would help in transforming the country into a tolerant and progressive one.

Responding to the welcome speech of the college principal, the governor announced a grant of Rs1 million for the construction of auditorium and improvement of other infrastructure.

Later, he distributed prizes among the students who got distinction in different academic pursuits and extra-curricular activities.

Ammar Matiullah and Najma Matiullah were adjudged best students for the year 2002 and Tasneem Qausar was declared best essay writer.