Faisalabad: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal visited the Government College Women University Faisalabad’s New Campus, inaugurating two new hostels and administering an oath to students of the Bano Shaheen Programme.

According to Press Information Department, the two hostels offer accommodation for 350 students. The campus project, approved in April 2020 for Rs. 1.26 billion, faced delays due to limited funding in its initial years. However, funding releases have accelerated since 2022, with Rs. 965 million distributed thus far.

During the event, Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the government’s commitment to women’s education, noting the university’s enrollment of 11,000 female students. He highlighted the Bano Shaheen Programme’s role in engaging youth in addressing social issues, forming teams to identify and solve local problems.

The minister urged caution against misinformation on social media and encouraged youth to contribute to solutions rather than merely reporting issues. He stated that empowering young people as stakeholders is crucial for Pakistan’s development, especially as it approaches its centenary of independence in 2047. The Ministry of Planning is implementing initiatives to enhance youth leadership skills and integrate them into the national development process.