3-day Pakistan Learning Festival opens in Islamabad

The festival is being held at Islamabad College for Boys G-6/3

ISLAMABAD  -  The three-day “Pakistan Learning Festival” opened here on Friday. Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal inaugurated the 3-day festival on behalf of the Ministry of Education, National Book Foundation and Idara-e-Taleem-o-Agahi at Islamabad College for Boys G-6/3.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said, “If we want to improve the future, it is necessary to provide more educational and practical learning opportunities to the youth, not only in educational institutions but also through various technical, technical and business skills programmes.” He said that in today’s fast-changing era, only curriculum-based education is not enough, but acquisition of advanced skills like technology, coding, data analysis, and business skills is also necessary. “Along with this, awareness of moral and social responsibilities is also necessary in training the youth so that they can play an active and positive role in the society.” Such initiatives, he stressed, will enable the youth to utilize their potential in the best possible way, and play an important role in shaping the future of the nation. He said that this festival is in accordance with the vision of the government in which, he believed, the future of Pakistan is the youth of Pakistan. “To promote learning through extra-curricular activities besides books, I suggest the Ministry of Education to take the festival to every district through trains in collaboration with the Ministry of Railways.”

Ahsan Iqbal further said that many sacrifices were made to achieve this country. “India did not give us our share when this country came into creation. If the JF-17 made in such a country is tearing up the skies, then this success is a proof of Pakistan’s potential.” He also said that the country which had no telecommunication system, has today its own fiber optic from Gilgit-Baltistan to Karachi. Reflecting on his personal journey over the decades, he shared that he achieved political success through his hard work.  “I am holding a coveted position in Pakistan today. My father was neither a businessman nor a political figure. When I wrote the admission essay for the top Wharton school of Business in America in 1983, the question asked was where do you see yourself after 10 years. I wrote that I would serve Pakistan through public office. I got admission in 1984, graduated in 1986 and came back. After getting MBA degree from Wharton, opportunities in the whole of America open up before you but I came back to and took oath as a member of National Assembly in 1993.” He advised the youth that this country can fulfill their every dream if they work hard. After the launch ceremony, the Federal Minister visited the book stalls set up by various publishers and received souvenirs from the organisers of the festival.

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