The Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that the Punjab government is giving top priority to the education of women as it is a prerequisite for progress and setting up of a civilised and balanced society. He was addressing on the foundation stone laying ceremony of Government Rabia Basri College for Women, at Walton Road, here. He said that besides big cities, measures have also been taken in far-flung areas for the education of girls.
He said that in addition to provision of quality education to women, financial assistance is also being extended to deserving and needy girl students through Punjab Educational Endowment Fund. Member of the National Assembly Khawaja Saad Rafique, Assembly Members and Secretary Higher Education were also present on the occasion. A large number of women also attended the function. The Chief Minister said that Punjab government is paying special attention to provide modern educational facilities to women. He said that setting up of Rabia Basri College will prove quality educational facilities to the women.
He said that the project of provision of higher education to women has been started by retrieving state land from Qabza Mafia and it will be completed by the end of the current year, so that the students acquiring education from this institution will also get benefit from the laptop scheme of the Punjab government. He said that educated women or girls can help in setting up of an educated society and progress of a nation. The Chief Minister paid tributes to the services of Khawaja Rafique Saheed for democracy and said that he laid down his life for the country and now his sons Khawaja Saad Rafique and Khawaja Salman Rafique are engaged in service to the masses.