Daily Times

LAHORE: Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Dr Hassan Askari held separate meetings with Punjab University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar and Government College University (GCU) Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Hassan Amir Shah at the Chief Minister’s Office on Monday.

On the occasion, both the vice chancellors briefed the chief minister about the performance of their institutions and the development made in education.

Talking on the occasion, Caretaker Punjab CM Dr Hassan Askari said that giving modern education to students is the need of the hour as promotion of modern education and skills development are the basis of development. The nations have given due attention to skills development and latest trends in education excelled in the development process. He said that it is the prime responsibility of the government to provide best opportunities of higher education to the youth and added that every possible effort will be made for the betterment of education sector.

GCU Political Science Department Chairman Professor Dr Khalid Manzoor Butt was also present.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that GCU Lahore had been imparting quality education with full devotion and commitment for the last 154 years, adding that the government must facilitate and support this prestigious institution on priority basis for infrastructural, academic and research developments.

GCU VC Professor Dr Hassan Amir Shah informed the chief minister that GCU Lahore had this year made it to the Times Higher Education Emerging Economies University Rankings, ranked among the top 400 best research-led universities from the 50 emerging economy nations.

“Only 10 universities of Pakistan made it to Times Higher Education ranking and GCU was among them,” he concluded.

The CM appreciated the peaceful environment maintained by the GCU Lahore on its campus and active participation of its students in co-curricular activities.

Separately, CM Askari said that provision of quality healthcare facilities is the basic responsibility of the government.

“Funds will be provided for ongoing healthcare schemes and other public welfare projects. Caretaker government cannot initiate long-term schemes, however, it is our effort that steps should be taken on priority basis for healthcare schemes that can be completed in a short span of time,” he said adding that every possible effort will be made for welfare of the public within constitutional limits.

He said that he will personally monitor the situation by visiting different hospitals.

He expressed these views while talking to Caretaker Health Minister Dr Jawad Sajid Khan who called on him at Chief Minister’s Office on Monday.

During the meeting, steps were discussed to further improve the healthcare facilities as well as the ongoing health sector’s schemes.

CM Askari also held a detailed meeting with Caretaker Minister for Local Government, Energy & Provincial Disaster Management Zafar Mahmood.

During the meeting, different matters including arrangements for upcoming general elections, implementation on electoral code of conduct and steps for dealing with monsoon and possible threat of flood came under discussion. Talking on the occasion, Askari said that caretaker government is ensuring implementation of electoral code of conduct issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). He said that legal action will be initiated on any violation of electoral code of conduct and every possible step will be initiated for provision of facilities at polling stations.

Published in Daily Times, July 3^rd 2018.