Daily Times

LAHORE: An agreement was signed between the School Education Department and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), under which a cadet college will be set up in Fort Munro area of Dera Ghazi Khan.

The signing ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Khan Laghari, Air Chief Marshal and other officials. School Education Secretary Allah Bakhash Malik and Deputy Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Shahid Akhtar Alvi signed the agreement on behalf of the government and the air force, respectively. The government will provide 100 acres of land for the establishment of college as well as a welfare city in Fort Munro, and will also provide a grant of a billion rupees.

Addressing the participants of the event, the CM said that the establishment of the college was a very cheerful moment for him personally, adding that an agreement between the Punjab government and the PAF in this regard was a welcoming step. He said the plan for establishing a cadet college in Fort Munro was implemented to facilitate not just the inhabitants of Dera Ghazi Khan but also those residing in surrounding areas.

“We have full confidence in the professional capabilities of PAF which has the ability to defeat the enemy. Its services for the well-being of the society are appreciable. This project will serve as a role model for coming years.”

Hailing the services of the outgoing chief of the PAF, Air Chief Marshall Sohail Aman, the CM said that he would be remembered for his role in strengthening the country’s aerial frontier, as well as his contributions to the field of education.

“Sohail Aman is a pride of PAF and he is leaving after playing the best innings. He has multiplied the glory of PAF by four times and his efforts to ensure the country’s security are commendable.”

Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman while addressing the participants of ceremony said that providing education and other facilities to public was a joyful and gratifying honour for him. “Not only will we set up a cadet college and a public school but also transform Fort Munro into a great city.”

He said that PAF is the pride of the nation as it is now self-sufficient for making modern equipment for its aircrafts. He said that on the establishment of educational institutions, “we are grateful to the Punjab government for its cooperation as we have to rely on education and technology if we want to change the destiny of our country and nation.”

Moreover, he added, the CM has made a great contribution in the mission of public service and assured that PAF will meet the expectations of the nation.

The ceremony was also attended by Federal Minister for Water and Power & Chairman FMDA Sardar Awais Ahmad Laghari, Provincial Ministers Aisha Ghaus Pasha, Rana Mashood Ahmed Khan, Member Provincial Assembly Sardar Jamal Khan Laghari, Air Marshal ® Qazi Javed, Air Martial ® Jamshed, Air Vice Marshal Amir Masood, Air Vice Marshal ® Hamid Khawaja, Chief Secretary, officials of PAF and provincial secretaries. Before this Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman called on Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif and discussed various issues related to the establishment of Cadet College in Fort Munro.

Separately, National Assembly speaker Sardar Sadiq Ayaz and Federal Minister Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique called on the Chief Minister here today. Matters pertaining to mutual interest, development projects and current political situation in the country were discussed in the meeting. Speaking on the occasion, the CM said, “general elections will prove a nightmare for those who have created hurdles in the PML-N government’s voyage of development. PML-N will form a government across Pakistan including Punjab. People are well aware of those who have served them and those who just kept lying to them.”

Furthermore, Shehbaz Sharif said, “we have not made roads and metro buses only but also set record of establishing schools, colleges and hospitals in the province. The alliance of {Asif Ali] Zardari and [Imran Khan] Naizi is not for public service. They only seek power.” We are bringing positive and pleasant changes to the situation of the people. He said that revolutionary development through mega projects in Punjab was the hallmark of the PML-N’s governance and all institutions should work together for the development and prosperity of Pakistan.

Published in Daily Times, March 19^th 2018.