* Punjab CM says modern IT labs being set up in Danish schools
* Says peaceful solution to Kashmir issue imperative for peace
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Friday that the future of the country was linked with information technology (IT) and the Punjab government was implementing a comprehensive programme for the promotion of IT in the province.
He said that the foundation of a revolution in education sector had been laid by establishing modern IT labs in more than 4,000 high schools of the province at a cost of Rs 5 billion and the students were benefiting from these IT labs by learning about new inventions. The chief minister said that computer education should be imparted to the students of the first and second classes in those high schools, which offered primary classes already existed so that they could get knowledge of information technology at the initial level.
Shahbaz was presiding over a meeting held to review the performance of IT labs in the province. Education Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, MNA Saira Afzal Tarar, the Punjab Education Foundation Chairman Raja Muhammad Anwar, Planning and Development chairman, Punjab Information Technology Board chairman, secretaries of schools and concerned officers attended the meeting. Chief Minister’s Inspection Team Chairman, Ziauddin, submitted a report in the meeting regarding the inspection of IT labs in various districts of the province.
Shahbaz said that equipping the young generation with modern knowledge was the need of the hour as it will help put the country on the road to progress. For this purpose, he said, IT labs had been set up with the cooperation of reputed international companies associated with IT sector in all high schools, where internet and other related facilities were provided.
He further said that modern IT labs were also being set up in Danish schools and smart boards were also provided in the schools’ labs. He said that a comprehensive system should be evolved for the monitoring of IT labs and it should be ensured that the computers and the Internet were in proper working condition for the benefit of students.
Separately, Punjab CM, while sending a message to Kashmiris on the Kashmir Solidarity Day, said that the Kashmiris were engaged in a heroic struggle for their independence and survival, despite facing oppression and atrocities in their efforts for achieving their inalienable right of self-determination. He said that Kashmiris could not be denied their legitimate right any longer by force and all-out moral and diplomatic support will be continued to them in their just cause.
Shahbaz said that a peaceful solution to the Kashmir issue, in accordance with desires and aspirations of Kashmiris, was imperative for a durable peace in the region. He said that violation of human rights and cruelties and atrocities against unarmed Kashmiri Muslims was highly unfortunate. He said that the world community, media and human rights organisations should play their due role for putting an end to the brutalities of Indian occupation forces against innocent Kashmiris.
Source: Daily Times
Date:2/5/2011
