BAHAWALPUR, Jan 5: Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro said on Saturday the government had taken several measures to improve educational standard and increase literacy rate in the country.

Addressing students at Islamia University, Mr Soomro said in the present age of competition, only continuous efforts to groom the talent of youngsters could put the country in the swim. To achieve this objective, he added, the government had paid attention towards education and health sectors. He said the opening of new faculties in public universities and the establishment of new institutions in various sectors showed that the government was focusing on both quality and quantity of education.

He stressed the need for good faculty, which he said, would bring about better changes in the university. He said the government provided necessary funds to Islamia University for the professional development of its faculty.

The prime minister said a Higher Education Commission’s Rs1.4 billion grant for the university would be ensured.

He expressed his pleasure over the running of Tib Department in the university, saying that the functioning of the old-aged alternative medicine should be encouraged. He announced a grant of Rs20 million for the university and inaugurated the main entrance gate, central library, fine arts block and an auditorium.

Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool said that from next year, each public university’s 600 to 700 students would be granted scholarships from Baitul Mal. He said Islamia University was an important educational institution due to its location in Cholistan, where livestock treasure existed.

Later, the prime minister paid a visit to Sadiq Public School, wherein he inaugurated an IT block, a girls’ campus and an open-air auditorium.