Mirpur: AJK Minister for School Education Engineer Umer Naeem Advocate and MPA and former minister Choudhary Rukhsar Ahmed on Tuesday inaugurated Sports Week at the state-run Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Medical College (BBMC) Mirpur to promote students’ physical, intellectual and social development.
The event was organised by the college’s Literary Society. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Engineer Umer Naeem said sports, literature, culture and other co-curricular activities played an important role in students’ physical and mental development, character building and promotion of positive thinking. He appreciated the students’ performances and congratulated the Literary Society and college administration on organising the event.
The minister said concerns had been raised about the management and affairs of the medical college at the time of its establishment, but its academic performance and results had been encouraging. He said the government was giving special attention to the education and health sectors and would take measures to improve academic standards, administration and provision of quality facilities in educational institutions across Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He also announced a grant of Rs100,000 for the Literary Society.
Engineer Umer Naeem stressed the need to acquaint young people with their cultural heritage and national values, while encouraging them to rely on research, authentic information and positive thinking to counter misinformation and propaganda. Choudhary Rukhsar Ahmed said sports promoted healthy lifestyles, discipline and teamwork, and stressed the importance of constructive co-curricular activities alongside academic pursuits.
The ceremony featured cultural activities and an exhibition highlighting national traditions and unity. The minister also planted a sapling on the college premises, while the administration presented shields to both guests.