LAHORE-  Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has given approval to the establishment of Provincial Higher Education Commission (PHEC) whereas it has also been decided to set up state-of-the-art Information Technology (IT) University in the Knowledge Park in Lahore where free educational facilities would be provided to the poor but talented children in that University.
This was decided at a meeting presided over by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif at Chief Minister’s Office. Various proposals with regard to promotion of higher education in the province were considered in the meeting.
Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister said that Punjab government is taking concrete measures for promotion of quality higher education in the province. He stressed the need for establishing institution like Provincial Higher Education Commission for the promotion of higher education in the Punjab. He said that universities play very important role for promoting process of research, therefore, special attention should be paid to the research in the universities. The Chief Minister said that the faculties in universities should be harmonised with present era. He directed that a comprehensive planning should be evolved for meeting the shortage of Ph.D scholars in the universities of Punjab. He said that Punjab government will provide all necessary resources for improving the standard of education in the universities of the province. Shahbaz Sharif disclosed that another university will also be set up along with Information Technology University in the Knowledge Park. Constituting a high level committee regarding setting up second university in the Knowledge Park, he directed that the committee should submit its recommendations with regard to establishing another university by mid of April. Shahbaz Sharif warned that no negligence and laxity will be tolerated in the programmes of promotion of education. He directed that the concerned officials should work hard for furthering the projects speedily. He directed that all secretaries should prepare comprehensive briefings with regard to performance of their departments, future projects and steps in this regard. Provincial Education Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, MPA Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Additional Chief Secretary, Chairman Planning & Development, Vice Chancellors Punjab University, University of Engineering & Technology, Gujrat University, secretaries and senior officials of concerned departments attended the meeting.
CM PUTS CHOLISTAN PACKAGE ON FAST TRACK: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that development package announced for Cholistan will be implemented speedily and he will personally monitor implementation on the development package. He warned that no negligence or laxity will be tolerated. The Chief Minister reiterated that health, education and other facilities will be provided to the residents of Cholistan on priority basis. He said that community schools being run under Literate Cholistan Project, will continue to work in future as well.
He said this while presiding over a high level meeting to review the situation of Cholistan, here on Saturday. Shahbaz Sharif said that situation in Cholistan is normal and the work on road network is also continuing speedily. He said that the community schools functioning under Literate Cholistan Project, will be run by Punjab Education Foundation. The Chief Minister said that land will be allotted to the landless farmers of Cholistan in a transparent manner and a transparent policy will be evolved for this purpose. He directed Secretary Schools to visit Community Schools of Cholistan and submit a report in this regard. He also directed to shift the tubewells on solar panel in Cholistan. Shahbaz Sharif directed to constitute a committee comprising Provincial Ministers, Chief Secretary and other senior officials and said that this committee will monitor the implementation on the development package of Cholistan.  He said that 250 cusec canal water will be provided to Cholistan. Chief Secretary while giving briefing about the situation of Cholistan informed that the work on cleanliness of 1100 water ponds and restoration of water pipelines has been started in Cholistan.