Govt’s tenure to end on August 14: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the tenure of present government is ending on 14 August and elections will be held in October or November.

The prime minister launched Pakistan Education Endowment Fund worth Rs14 billion and initiated reforms in the national curriculum.

Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will announce the election date. He said whosoever forms the next government after elections should given top priority to education to make this nation great.

PM Shehbaz Sharif said a budget of three billion rupees has been earmarked for the endowment fund to equip the youth with education. He clarified that these funds will not go into the endowment fund but directly to the youth in the form of scholarships.

He hoped the allocation of Pakistan Education Endowment Fund increases to Rs140 billion in the next ten years, saying it is only through promotion of education that the country can move forward on the path of progress and development.

Terming the promotion of education as a sacred duty, the prime minister said special focus should be given to areas which lag behind in development.

He said the nation has to focus on education which is meaningful and has relevance with the modern day requirements to better compete with the world.

The prime minister appreciated the financial assistance extended by China, Saudi Arabia and the UAE during difficult times. He, however, called for introspection to put the country in the right direction.

In his remarks, Minister for Education Rana Tanveer Hussain said that scholarships under the endowment fund will be given in various disciplines including nursing, engineering and social sciences.

The minister said that incorporation of Constitution of Pakistan in the syllabus is an important milestone, saying this will promote understanding among youth about their rights and responsibilities.

He said steps have also been taken by the present government to promote quality education and bring out of school children to the educational institutions.