ISlAMABAD, April 12: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) is planning to increase the number of PhD degree-holders from the present 100-150 to about 1,000 per year.

This was stated by HEC Chairman Dr Atta-ur-Rehman in a meeting held in connection with promotion of higher education on Saturday. Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali presided over the meeting, which was also attended by Education Minister Zubaida Jalal and others.

The prime minister said the government would continue to make efforts for promoting higher education to facilitate knowledge-based development in the country.

He said no meaningful development could take place without knowledge or education. The government is committed to accord significant priority to higher education, which would be the key to face the challenges of the 21st century. “Knowledge has now become the main driving force of world economies and hence forms the basis of socio-economic development,” he added.

Mr Jamali said the government policies were being geared to achieve self-reliance in various fields. He said special emphasis was being laid on quality primary education which would provide a solid foundation to our children.

“Increase in the education budget and introduction of uniform syllabus in all provinces are being contemplated,” he said, adding that this showed the government’s priorities in this regard.