Muhammad Afzaal Hameed/Agency
BAHAWALPUR - Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif paid glowing tribute to the last crowned Amir of former Bahawalpur State, Nawab Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Khamis Abbasi (late) over his remarkable services for the promotion of Islam, Education and Pakistan ideology and termed him one of the founding fathers of the country.
The Punjab chief minister made the complimentary remarks during his address at the 59th Founding Day of Sadiq Public School here on Friday. Shahbaz Sharif argued that the step of late Nawab Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Khamis to set up this educational institution was a milestone in the promotion of education as the standard of quality education being imparted at the institution was stand second to none, especially in the region.
He expressed complete confidence in the potential and talent of the young generation and said that the youth could do everything to make country strong, progressive and prosperous, adding that the nation had to rely on their abilities and provide them with all possible best available facilities for quality education.
He severely criticized the rulers with the view that there was no need to fear being a nuclear power, adding that the nation had to rely on its own resources and abilities and stop begging to keep-up national sovereignty and integrity. The Punjab government has broken the begging bowl and has stopped accepting foreign aid," he pointed out.
On the occasion, Shahbaz Sharif reiterated his resolve for the promotion of education and stressed the need for lifting the quality of education. The names of educational institutions do not matter but the standard and quality of education make the difference and are vital to equip the youth to face the modern day challenges," the Punjab CM argued and added that character building of students was of great importance and prerequisite to make them the people of repute for a healthy society.
The chief minister also announced a grant of Rs50 million for the construction of Prep Academic Block at Sadiq Public School and upon drawing his attention by a girl student of class C-3 Rabael Chandio, he announced 10 Laptops for the brilliant students of the Sadiq Public School. He also announced that in the next fiscal year, the talented students of the school level would be included in the list of the Laptops distribution among the talented students.
Shahbaz Sharif remarked that better educational institution were the destiny of the country and Daanish schools would surely play due role in this regard. He claimed that he believed in education, in youth and did not in red carpet and red-tapism. He was of the view that the young generation would prove that they were the real custodians of the country and serve the nation and country with pride after completing their studies. He advised the students to take proper benefit from the IT facility and improve their knowledge and skills to prove their worth, saying that talented students would surely find a better formula through their knowledge and would throw away the corrupt rulers directly into Arabian Sea.
He underlined the resolve to end energy crisis to secure the future of the young generation as it was affecting the studies of the students as well as the financial condition of the people. Later, Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif awarded trophies and prizes to talented students and players of the school.
Earlier, school Principal Major (r) Syed Munir Ahmed in his welcome address highlighted the achievements of the school and students in the academic field.
Earlier, the Punjab CM inaugurated the newly-constructed Building of the Govt Vocational Training Institute for Boys.
A delegation of the affectees of a housing scheme of the city also met the Punjab Chief Minister and appealed him to redress their grievances and order for thorough probe into this scam as some politically influential people were involved in the fraud.
INP adds: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has demanded across the board accountability of everyone including Generals and Judges, pointing that all the loans obtained during the last 64 years have been pocketed by the corrupt people.
Speaking at the 59th Founding Day of Sadiq Public School here on Friday, the CM said that despite an atomic power, the rulers were running here and there with a begging bowl and compromising the honour and dignity of the country.  He said that forefathers had not given sacrifices to make their coming generations as beggars. He said the coming generations had been made hostage to the huge external loans.
He said the country was faced with critical issues like terrorism, corruption and energy shortages. Offering himself for accountability, the CM said that unless everyone including politicians, bureaucrats, judges and generals were not made accountability the dream of Iqbal's Pakistan could not be realized. He said only through a transparent accountability, the country can get rid of begging bowl.