KHAIRPUR: The Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU) Vice-Chancellor (VC) Dr Parveen Shah on Monday inaugurated fourth phase of the prime minister’s (PM) laptop scheme to distribute about 2,000 laptops among BS, MA, MS, M Phil and PhD students of the university. While addressing the ceremony, the VC shah motivated the students to pursue opportunities of research and development. She appreciated the efforts of former provincial government for instituting educational reforms including laptop scheme and reimbursement of tuition fee for the students. “The university would ensure the continuation of such beneficial schemes for the students of rural towns of Sindh,” she said while encouraging the students to study with determination, persistence and tenacity. The focal person for PM’s laptop scheme Prof Dr Maqsood Zia revealed that previously 5,000 laptops were distributed among the students of SALU. “In the fourth phase, we are going to provide 2,000 laptops to the eligible students,” he said. Meanwhile, the SALU pro-vice chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Yousuf Khushk, the SALUTA general secretary Prof Dr Ikhtiar Ali Ghumro, media coordinator Ibrahim Khokhar and the university staff were also present on the occasion. ‘Minorities’ rights must be ensured in upcoming polls’ The Marvi Rural Development Organization (MRDO) on Monday conducted an awareness session entitled ‘Voters Education and Mobilisation’ in Sukkur to raise awareness for protecting rights of minorities and significance of casting votes in the upcoming general election-2018. Reportedly, the MRDO in collaboration with DAI-Tabeer briefed the participants regarding the current political scenario that prevails in the country and the electoral process with an aim to educate them for exercising their right to vote. Meanwhile, the members of minority faiths expressed their deep concerns over a long ‘legal’ tradition of undermining their political and civil rights. “Minorities have not been given equal rights in Pakistan, and the upcoming election appears to be another festival only for Muslims while minorities could not earn centre stage despite of being capable, competent and efficient,” they said. They further stressed on the government to realise that depriving the minority groups of their civil and political rights does not produce positive results rather creates societal unbalance. Importantly, they have also demanded to introduce the joint electorate system that allows the minorities to vote for the Members of National Assembly (MNAs) and the Members of Provincial Assembly (MPAs). Moreover, they urged the government to put an end to discriminatory laws and ensure effective measures for the participation of minorities in the mainstream politics. Later, the organisers of the session asserted that the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees ‘fundamental rights, equal opportunities, legal, social and economic liberty to all citizens of the country. The MRDO Manager Programs Salman Ali urged the voters to bring change through the voting while in the past a large proportion of population did not participated in the electoral process. “Democracy can only be strengthened through the electoral process of voting by every individual of the country,” he claimed. The Sukkur social welfare deputy director Din Mohammad Sheikh also emphasised that the people must participate in the upcoming polls for their own protection of rights and liberty. Published in Daily Times, July 3rd 2018.