KOHAT: Chief Minister Pervez Khattak said on Thursday that education was the only universal remedy available for ending corruption and terrorism, adding that the past rulers had brought the country almost to the brink of disaster.

Addressing the 51st parents’ day function at the Cadet College Kohat as chief guest, he said that eradication of corruption was a must to steer the country out of the quagmire of problems being faced by the people. He underlined the need for a joint struggle of social, political and military circles against corruption, crimes and terrorism.

Mr Khattak said that the people, especially tribesmen, owned the ‘war on terrorism’ and had played their role in restoration of peace. The function was attended by MNAs, MPAs, general officer commanding of the IXth Division of Pakistan Army Maj-Gen Khalid Javed, chairman board of governors of Cadet College Kohat retired Brig Inamul Haq, principal of the college, teachers and parents.

The chief minister wished to spend all available resources on promotion of health and education to make an educated and healthy nation capable of planning for the progress and prosperity of the country.

Says the country was ruthlessly plundered in past

He stressed the need for equipping the new generation with the knowledge of science and contemporary skills to enable them to meet modern challenges successfully.

He said that the country was ruthlessly plundered in the past. He said that the ruling forces had been ignoring national and common interests and had just struggled for their own vested interests.

“The corrupt people took advantage of the weak education system and established institutions on the basis of their own wishes so as to keep the nation illiterate while they cheated them and shifted the wealth abroad. We want to abolish the difference between the rich and poor with full determination,” he asserted.

The chief minister said that the provincial government was trying to bring public sector educational institutions at par with the private institutions and bridge the decades old gap created by corrupt rulers to keep 200 million people as their slaves. He claimed that the confidence of the people had been restored in the government institutions and people now preferred to educate their children in government schools and colleges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said that it was the resolve of the provincial government to produce educated youth, capable of working for the progress and prosperity of the nation and foiling internal and external conspiracies bravely.

Appreciating the contribution of the college, Mr Khattak said that the institution was providing talented leadership to the armed forces and in other fields. He also appreciated the outstanding results of the college in board examinations.

The chief minister gave away prizes to the outstanding house and cadets of the college. He announced construction of a new hostel in the college, provision of ambulance and a grant of Rs20 million for the institution.

The all-round best performance shield went to Khushal House while Syed Mutahir Shah of the same house was awarded the sword of honour for the best cadet.

Published in Dawn, November 18th, 2016