Musharraf calls for bringing poor students into Mainstream
By Shiraz Afzal - Pakistan Times Staff Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: President General Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday called for private sector's key role in providing the poor students opportunities for higher learning to enable them to "break the poverty barrier" and enter the mainstream of national life.

"The talented students with scant or no financial resources need to be encouraged by all - the private institutions should facilitate these brilliant young people to overcome the poverty barrier and join the mainstream of higher education," he emphasized.

He was addressing a meeting of the Board of Governors of Foundation for Advancement of Science and Technology and National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences at Aiwan- e-Sadr.

In his remarks, the President also underlined the importance of observing merit and transparency in regard with admission of students.

The President Musharraf reiterated Government's commitment to raising the quality of higher education and lauded the FAST and the National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences for consistently pursuing the same.

"The University has come up as one of the finest institutions of higher learning in a short period in equipping the students with the essentials that will enable them to serve as agents of vibrant growth for the country," he stated.

President FAST Senator Wasim Sajjad, Rector Amir Muhammad and Pro-Rector Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Rafaqat apprised the President about the progress the university has made in the last few years. They also apprised the President about the problems facing the university.

They applauded President's abiding emphasis on promoting higher education through a series of unprecedented initiatives taken in the last six years, particularly in the field of information technology.

Chairman Higher Education Commission Dr Atta ur Rehman also attended the meeting.

Mega project in Balochistan

And Chairing a meeting at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, President General Pervez Musharraf said Tuesday that the initiation of mega projects in Balochistan, including the recently constructed Mekran Coastal Highway and under construction Mirani Dam, Gwadar Deep Sea Port and Kacchi Canal were in the interest of the country and the people of Balochistan.

The President said the benefits of these projects were beginning to accrue in the form of greater employment for the people, poverty alleviation and access to modern facilities.

The meeting reviewed law and order and progress of various development projects in the province of Balochistan.

In addition to mega projects, the President also spoke of the assistance being given by the Federal Government for the improvement of watercourses, health, education and other programmes in the social sector.

The Governor and Chief Minister of Balochistan gave a detailed presentation about the various initiatives taken by the Government for ensuring law and order in the province, progress on development projects and other steps in order to bring it at par with the other developed areas of the country.

President of Pakistan Muslim League, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Secretary General PML, Mushahid Hussain Sayed briefed the participants about the working of the Parliamentary Committee on Balochistan.

The president appreciated the efforts of the political leaders for assisting the government in maintaining peace and harmony in the province and reiterated total support to the rights of the people of Balochistan.

He emphasized that no one would be allowed disrupt the process of development in the province and stressed on the need to take all necessary steps for the protection of vital national assets and installations.●