QUETTA:President Dr Arif Alvi Tuesday stressed upon utilizing the potential of youth in the Balochistan province through means of modern education and skills development for the country’s progress and prosperity.
The president said different avenues were being opened for the talented youth of Balochistan to fully exploit these opportunities.
Addressing the concluding ceremony of colourful Sibi Mela as the chief guest, the president further said that distances had shrunk in the fast paced world, therefore, every youth in each family of the province should get skill education.
The world was anxiously looking towards the youth bulge of Pakistan to tap their true potential, he said, and stressed that the youth in Balochistan should avail of the existing skill development facilities in Quetta and Khuzdar.
The president said the world was wide open and its ever expanding market was looking towards the skilled youth. “The nations that take advantage of pace of time have always succeeded. My nation requires such progress at a rapid speed,” he added.
Balochistan Governor Syed Zahoor Ahmad Agha, provincial ministers and officials, and a large number of people witnessed the ceremony.
Emphasizing the significance of economic stability, President Alvi said Pakistan was on the path of becoming a developed nation and the Balochistan province was blessed with the wealth of mineral resources, rich coastline and fishery.
He stressed upon maximum utilization of modern technology for the progress and prosperity of the province.
The president said the government was making efforts to provide such facilities across the length and breadth of the country, and resolved that digital skills programmes would be soon provided in all areas of the province.
He said under the Kamyab Naujawan and Kamyab Pakistan programmes, interest-free loans were being provided by the banks.
The president opined that a total of 700 youth in Balochistan were being imparted skills development at Gwadar facility, annually to get jobs. About 2.2 million youth in the country got skilled development education in the last two years, including those who belonged to the far flung areas, he added.
Expressing condolences over the loss of lives in the terrorist incidents in the province, he lauded the armed forces and the nation for their resolve and fortitude. He said Pakistan was the only country in the world that had emerged successful in its war against the scourge of terrorism.
He said the way the nation showed solidarity in the past, had set it on the path to become stronger.
The president also cautioned that they should remain vigilant over conspiracies against a prosperous and developing Pakistan.
He said the Pakistani nation had hosted the Afghan refugees on its soil for decades, which reflected its humane values, but on the other hand, he regretted that migrating refugees had been left to drown in the open seas.
The president said Pakistan had entrusted the United Nations to resolve the Kashmir issue.
He reiterated that Pakistan was an independent country and it desired friendly ties with all the countries.
He observed that global principles should be based upon equity. The Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) had manifested those principles by declaring that all people, irrespective of caste or creed, were equal.
The president mentioned the two areas where more focus should be made; including the steps for poverty reduction and provision of health facilities.
The government through issuance of health cards had introduced an unmatched state run health insurance system, he added.
The president also emphasized upon women’s health, including the malnutrition issues.
He said under the Ehsaas programme, the government was providing nutrition package and financial support, besides extending scholarships to the girls. The womenfolk must avail of the available opportunities to excel in different fields of life, he added.