HASSANABDAL, Dec 8: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Wednesday said the country was faced with multitude challenges and called for greater focus on improvement in quality of education , removal of urban-rural and gender imbalances in education to attain the economic growth targets.

Speaking at the annual parents day and prize distribution ceremony at Hasanabdal Cadet College, the prime minister said a weak social profile was detrimental to growth and underlined the need for human development to attract investment.

Appreciating the performance of the college the prime minister said it was encouraging that it is alive to the needs of the time and maximizing its potential for future expansion.

He urged the college administration to continue their efforts to make the institution the best for its excellence and centre of knowledge. The prime minister announced a grant of Rs10 million for the college expansion project to increase enrolment from the current 500 to 1,000 cadets and assured technical and moral support to the college.

Premier Aziz said, "our dreams of a prosperous and self-reliant Pakistan are coming true as we have achieved economic sovereignty and credible defence". He said, while moving towards our destiny we must not loose sight of our rich culture, harmony with nature, moderation and enlightenment.

Prime Minister Aziz said his government recognized that "access to best quality education and attaining appropriate skills was the right of every citizen without discrimination so that they have equal opportunities to grow and to excel".

The prime minister said the national education policy emphasized increased enrolment in public sector schools, removing urban-rural and gender imbalances with improving quality of education at all levels.

He said the policy also aimed at reforms in curriculum, to strengthen technical and higher education, provide demand-driven education and encourage private sector participation.

The premier said the government was also strengthening its 'testing system' to ensure that the fresh graduates should be able to compete in the international markets.

The prime minister said education service delivery was faced with multitude challenges including lack of infrastructure and facilities to shortage of qualified and trained teachers.

The prime minister said "in this rapid growing era of knowledge-based economics nations who do not continuously update their knowledge to compete globally were bound to fail".

The prime minister congratulated the prize winner students and asked them to work hard work, broaden their vision as there were no short cuts in life. The prime minister said the institution has produced many personalities who have left their mark on the national scene.

Earlier, principal of the college, Prof Syed Dilshad Hussain in his welcome address said the students had achieved distinctions in various examinations and sports activities.

He said the college, established in 1954, had been able to earn an enviable renown and reputation of being one of the best institutions of the country. The prime minister was accorded warm welcome when he arrived at the college, from Islamabad by helicopter, on his first-ever visit to the institution.

The students of the college, presented gymnastic, physical training display, horse riding and other activities. Later, the prime minister distributed prizes, medals and shields among the students who excelled in various sports, academic and extra-curricular activities. Hasan Mansoor was given trophy for the 'Best Cadet' while Liaquat Wing achieved first position in sports and academics.