Islamabad - Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday launched the first phase of Single National Curriculum for students of grade one to five, saying it was his vision to bring a uniform syllabus and end the class based education system. 

Addressing the launching ceremony, the Prime Minister appreciated the Ministry of Education for taking a first step towards this end.

He said nowhere in the world are three curricula as is the case in Pakistan where the students of public and private educational institutions and the religious seminaries are studying different syllabus. The Prime Minister said he knew that bringing a uniform curriculum will be a difficult task as the elite system will not allow this change and create hurdles in it. He ,however, assured that the process that has been started is irreversible. 

He said this will take our youth to one direction and rid them of the invasion of foreign cultures to make the country a unified nation. Imran Khan said it has also been decided to teach Seerat un Nabi (PBUH) to the students of grade eight, nine and ten.

He asked the Minister for Education to enforce the uniform syllabus for these grades in the next five to six months after deliberations. He said the betterment of our youth lies in the fact that they learn from the unmatched achievements of Holy Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wa Sallam Khatim-un-Nabiyeen.

Pakistan committed to sovereignty of Saudi Arabia: PM

He said this will also help our youth better understand the religion and they won’t be misled by the elements who misinterpret the religion for their vested interests.

Prime Minister Imran Khan said the minorities will also be provided with opportunities to learn about their respective religions. He said the very foundation of teachings of all the holy prophets is respect for humanity.

While referring to the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, according to Prime Minister Imran Khan, they have “broken the chains of slavery”. 

What is happening in Afghanistan now, “they have broken the shackles of slavery”, he added.

In his remarks on the occasion, Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood said the first phase of national single curriculum has been implemented in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir. 

He said it is also our endeavour that Sindh also adopts this curriculum. He said the uniform curriculum is fulfillment of the election manifesto of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf.

The Minister for Education termed it a big step towards ending injustice in the society. 

At a Press conference yesterday, Shafqat Mahmood had said the SNC had been launched from classes one to five in public and private schools as well as seminaries in all provinces except Sindh.

He had said that from next year, the SNC would be introduced for classes six to eight and in 2023, for classes nine to 12.

Similarly, the Minister had said, for the first time students of five sects of minorities will be taught books of their sects.

Separately, while chairing a meeting on development of the federal capital Islamabad, Prime Minister called for efforts to find alternate mechanism to address issues the key issues.

The Prime Minister made these remarks during a briefing given the meeting by Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA). The meeting was attended by all three MNAs of the ruling PTI from Islamabad including Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Asad Omar, Special Assistant Ali Nawaz Awan. 

Meanwhile, talking to Chairman Special Technology Zones Authority Aamir Hashmi here on Monday, Prime Minister said that increase in exports in technology sector is one of the priorities of the government.

He said the government is providing facilities to the manpower associated with information technology.

The progress in Islamabad Technopolis project was discussed in the meeting.

The Chairman Special Technology Zones Authority informed the Prime Minister that local and foreign companies are taking keen interest to invest in technology zones.

He said technology zones will be established in the Federal Capital as well as in all provincial capitals.

 

 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday expressed Pakistan’s commitment and support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia.

Talking to Chief of General Staff of the Saudi Armed Forces General Fayyadh bin Hameed Al-Rowailly, the prime minister underlined the importance Pakistan attached to Saudi Arabia in broadening mutual cooperation and strengthening the people-to-people contacts.

During the meeting, views were exchanged on a range of important issues of common interest.

Imran Khan expressed confidence that the recently established Saudi-Pakistan Supreme Coordination Council (SPSCC) would play a catalytic role in fostering enhanced bilateral cooperation in all fields.

He welcomed the Saudi delegation and conveyed his warm regards to King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He added that the people of Pakistan always accorded special reverence to the Saudi leadership.

The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the robust defence relationship between the two countries, and hoped that bilateral defence cooperation would grow further in the years ahead.

He also expressed Pakistan’s support for resolving the conflict in Yemen through dialogue and diplomacy, and appreciated Saudi efforts in this regard.

General Al-Rowailly acknowledged the excellent collaboration and appreciated the professionalism of Pakistan armed forces. 

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have long-standing and historic fraternal relations, rooted deep in common faith, shared history and mutual support. Regular and high-level exchange of visits is a reflection of excellent relations between the two countries.