Media not highlighting govt contribution to health, education: PM

ZAHEER ABBASI

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has complained that media is not highlighting the government's contribution to education and health sectors, and its entire focus is either on when the next election would be held, or army would take over.

Addressing the award distribution ceremony here at National University of Science and Technology (NUST), the Prime Minister said: "Your focus should not be next election; or when the military will take over", and desired the headlines of newspapers should be the students as future of the country. He said that media was focusing more on suo motu notices of the Chief Justice or politics, and never highlighted the government's efforts in health and education.

Gilani said that it was a matter of great pleasure for him to preside over the final event of Prime Minister's Entrepreneurial Challenge named "Discover Prosperity through Entrepreneur-ship".

He said that the government fully realises that the country needs technology-based businesses that would bring higher returns. Science and technology universities like NUST are the best places for technology-based business because these are centres of excellence.

Gilani said that the new growth strategy, being developed and implemented "by the democratic government" lays greater emphasis on human resource development, innovation and entrepreneurship.

The Prime Minister said that Pakistani nation was truly blessed, where 63 percent of population is under 25 years of age and has enormous potential. "Our demographic potential places Pakistan on a take-off stage provided the capabilities of our youth are harnessed for productive purposes," he added.

"I wish to felicitate NUST and Cambridge Advisors Network, the co-organisers of this competition, for identifying the right direction for our youth and creating a support system to promote industry-academia collaboration. Identifying entrepreneurs, connecting them with the industry, providing incubation space and seed funds, arranging industrial mentors and finally celebrating their achievements is a comprehensive phased business development programme," said Gilani.

The Prime Minister also praised the efforts of the Ministry of Science and Technology and HEC for their support to technology incubator at NUST and for promoting technology-based businesses. He said that such incubators help in the growth of small and medium industries and can ultimately become significant contributors to the GDP growth.

Gilani said that he had directed Pakistan Software Export Board to complete the Information Technology Park project on fast track basis.

The Prime Minister directed NUST Rector, Ministry of Science and Technology, Higher Education Commission and Ministry of Information Technology to look into setting up of endowment fund, which would be used as seed money for companies at NUST Technology Incubation Centre.