LAHORE - Senior Advisor to Punjab Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa has said that promotion of information technology is guarantee of economic self-sufficiency and government wants to provide a strong economic infrastructure by promoting this technology. While addressing 19th Convocation of COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, here on Sunday, he said that government was streamlining this sector on modern lines so that Lahore could become a new center of information technology in the South Asia. Chancellor COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Muhammad Azam Khan Swati, Chairman Board of Governors Imtenan Elahi Qureshi, Members Board of Governors, Academic Council, graduate male and female students and their parents were also present on the occasion. The senior advisor said that information technology was a key to 21st century and the targets of development could not be achieved without it. He said that Punjab government was determined to promote research in the sector of science and technology and it was believed that it would pave the way for rapid economic development. He said that the government was encouraging COMSATS Institute of Information Technology. Sardar Khosa said that new job opportunities will be available in the youth for development of this sector. He said that a strong and disciplined educational network would have to be established for promotion of information technology so that our youth could gain competency in computer technology. He said that crimes could also be controlled with the help of computer technology and this technology would be helpful for maintenance of law and order. He informed that government had launched various projects for enhancing the efficiency of the government departments through computerizing networking of the departments which would help achieving the good governance. Khosa advised the students to prepare such software of computer technology as could make Lahore a new 'Banglore in future. He further said that Punjab Chief Minister had established endowment fund with an amount of Rs.2 billion for the poor and talented students so that they could continue their studies. He said that talented students will also be sent abroad for higher education and government will bear all expenses in this regard. He said that Danish Schools are also being established throughout the province where free education would be provided to the students. Earlier, Chancellor COMSATS Institute of Information Technology presented address of welcome and highlighted the activities of the Institute. Lauding the services of the institute in the information technology sector, Senior Advisor assured that government will extend full cooperation for resolving its genuine problems. Later, Senior Advisor gave away medals and certificates to the outstanding students. Head of the Institute presented a shield to the Senior Advisor.