LAHORE Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said the young generation will have to be equipped with the latest knowledge for making Pakistan an Islamic welfare state in the real sense and gaining its lost status. There is a need to eliminate corruption and loot of national resources and promote the sentiments of tolerance and restrain in the society. In order to make Pakistan a prosperous country and a haven of peace, extremism will have to be countered with the force of knowledge and the regional resources will have to be developed for shedding reliance on others, he said, while addressing 74th convocation of Kinnaird College on Tuesday. Chairman Board of Governors KC and Bishop of Lahore Alexander John Malik, Syed Babar Ali, former Principal of the College Mira Phailbus, faculty members, members of Kinnaird Society Old Associates, teachers, parents and a large number of students were present on the occasion. While stating that the KC was playing an important role in imparting quality education to women, the CM said the aim of progress and prosperity of the country could be achieved only through promotion of quality education. He opined that Pakistan could not achieve a dignified status in the comity of nations unless modern academic facilities were provided to the poorest students. He said keeping in view the importance of education, the Punjab government had taken revolutionary measures for the uplift of education sector and promotion of education throughout the province. He said a poor student could move ahead only under a uniformed education system and keeping in view this fact Daanish Schools, equipped with latest academic facilities, had been set up in far-flung and backward areas. He said the educational standard of these schools would be even higher than the leading institutions of the country. He said these seats of learning were worth-seeing and modern educational facilities, beautiful playgrounds, digital libraries as well as free boarding and lodging facilities to the boys and girls students, had been provided in these schools. He said students of these schools after completing their education would play an important role in national development like other prestigious educational institutions of the country. The history is witness to the fact that the Islamic civilisation has produced a number of important personalities in the field of mathematics, chemistry, science, physics and other sectors, which have proved their mettle in the field of knowledge. There was time when Islamic civilisation was far ahead than Europe but now unfortunately the Muslims are lagging behind which is due to the fact that proper attention is not being paid to acquisition of latest knowledge, he added. He was of the opinion that imparting scientific knowledge to the youth was essential for transforming Pakistan in accordance with the ideals of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal. He regretted that despite being a nuclear power, Pakistan was dependent on others and was compelled to seek aid from the IMF and the World Bank. There is a need to give up reliance on foreign aid and develop local resources for achieving the aim of self-sufficiency. Promotion of vocational education is vital for elimination of poverty and unemployment, and the Punjab government has taken solid measures for promoting technical education in the province, he said, adding that young generation was the custodian of the future of Pakistan and it should concentrate on studies. Dr Alexander John Malik, while addressing the convocation, said establishment of Daanish Schools for the provision of quality education to the students in far-flung and remote areas of the province was an important step of the Punjab government towards transforming Pakistan in accordance with the vision of Quaid-e-Azam. Punjab is a role model with regard to good governance. No nation can achieve prosperity with loans, therefore, the generation of indigenous resources and its equitable distribution will have to be ensured, he added. Principal Kinnaird College Prof. Rukhsana David highlighted the ongoing academic programmes of the College. Later, the CM awarded gold medals to the students showing outstanding performance in curricular and co-curricular activities.