PR No. 234 Islamabad: April 27, 2016

President Mamnoon Hussain on Wednesday said China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would usher in an era of development in the country and urged upon the nation to fully support the Government in completion of these projects.

Addressing the seventh convocation of VirtualUniversity here, he said CPEC would make Pakistan a major hub of economic activity in the region.

President Mamnoon Hussain said that CPEC includes several energy initiatives including coal, oil, solar and nuclear projects adding that on completion of these projects the country will be almost rid of load-shedding by 2018. President Mamnoon said that LNG is being imported at the lowest price and it will revitalize the national economy. The President said that under the CPEC, GwadarPort will be operational by the end of 2016. He stated that materialization of CPEC would require technical expertise and called upon the students to opt for relevant subjects including information technology, banking and commerce to meet the requirements of the project.

He said that National Action Plan (NAP) was being implemented and elimination of extremists had resulted in revival of economy in the country and reaffirmed the resolve of the government to continue Zarb-e-Azb operation till elimination of the last terrorist. He noted with satisfaction that there was a significant improvement in the economic indicators as a result of prudent policies and improved law and order situation.

The President said that the negligence at individual and institutional levels in the past had created several challenges for the country including inflation, unemployment, load-shedding and militancy. He stressed upon the need for working honestly and with dedication to realise the vision of Quaid-e-Azam, Allama Iqbal and Liaquat Ali Khan for the country.

He asked the youth to shun despondency and focus their energies to secure a brighter future for the country. The President said that corruption has eroded the foundations of the society and emphasized upon the need to get rid of this menace and socially ostracize the corrupt elements.

He said that those affiliated with education sector should consider their profession as a sacred mission and groom the young generation apart from treating it as a source of employment. He lauded the services of VirtualUniversity in increasing literacy rate even in far-flung areas through their E-learning and distant-learning programmes.

Mamnoon Hussain mentioned that the children of Pakistani expatriates abroad had difficulty in getting higher education and said Virtual University could play an important role in facilitating them by offering distant-learning courses.

The President congratulated the degree holders and advised the students to always respect their parents and teachers as they owe their success to their efforts.

Chairman Higher Education Commission Mukhtar Ahmed and Rector Virtual University Dr. Naveed A. Malik were also present on the occasion.

PREVIOUS NEXT