Karachi, In a significant development for the Hazara Division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retd) Syed Arshad Hussain Shah undertook a productive visit to the region on Wednesday. During his tour, he inaugurated several key educational and health projects, marking a notable advancement in the region’s infrastructure.
According to Directorate General Information and PRs – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Chief Minister’s visit was marked by notable activities, including the distribution of laptops to students of Hazara University Mansehra under the Prime Minister Laptop Scheme. The scheme is a part of the provincial government’s effort to boost educational standards and assist students in their academic pursuits.
Justice Shah also officially inaugurated the University Hazara Campus and Ayub College of Dentistry in Abbottabad. These institutions are set to play a vital role in enhancing the region’s educational landscape. Additionally, he launched the Online Complaint Management and Patient Facilitation Center and the Cornea Transplant Service at Ayub Teaching Hospital, emphasizing the government’s commitment to improving healthcare services.
Addressing a function organized for these inaugurations, the Chief Minister highlighted the significance of Ayub Teaching Hospital as the largest teaching hospital in the Hazara Division. He assured that all problems faced by the hospital would be addressed on a priority basis.
A key announcement made by Justice Shah was the in-principle approval granted by the provincial cabinet to elevate Ayub Medical College and Khyber Medical College to university status. This decision follows the caretaker prime minister’s announcement and is currently awaiting NOCs from the Higher Education Commission and the Election Commission, after which an ordinance will be issued for both universities.
During his visit to Hazara University Mansehra, the Chief Minister underscored the importance of aligning higher education with modern challenges and market demands. He stressed the urgency of replacing traditional university courses with those more relevant to contemporary requirements.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister expressed concern over youth unemployment and announced a program aimed at sending youth abroad for employment. This ambitious program, set to be officially launched in the coming days, aims to provide crash courses in various fields to at least five lakh youths annually, in response to international job demands.
In closing, Justice Shah emphasized the significance of the Prime Minister Laptop Scheme as a critical resource for students, encouraging them to utilize these tools for educational and research purposes. He also mentioned the initiation of quantum computing in Haripur and Abbottabad, branding them as quantum valleys, a move expected to significantly contribute to the province’s technological advancement.