Speech of Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani
Prime Minister of Pakistan
On 11th Convocation of
University of Central Punjab
(April 17, 2012)
*****
Rana Muhammad Iqbal Ahmad Khan
Acting Governor Punjab
Mian Aamir Mahmood
Chairman, Punjab Group of Colleges
Dr Muhammad Zafarullah,
Pro-Rector
University of Central Punjab
Deans of different Departments, Faculty members,
Graduating students, proud parents
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a matter of immense pleasure for me to attend this impressive graduation
ceremony of the University of Central Punjab. At the outset, I would congratulate
the graduating students and their teachers on this auspicious day. I am sure you
will spare no effort in doing your best in giving yourself and the people around
you a bright and a promising future.
I also very warmly congratulate the proud parents of these graduates, who must
be experiencing a great sense of pride and satisfaction today. These proud
moments speak volumes about the dedication, commitment and contribution of
parents in bringing out the best among their sons and daughters.
There is certainly nothing more promising and more heart-warming for me than
the sight of beautifully dressed graduates, who are future leaders of this great
nation and ready to enter world of challenges. Today’s Convocation marks a
turning point in your life in this regard. I have my strong conviction that our youth
possess the dynamism and enduring spirit to set a high benchmark of
performance through utmost dedication and commitment.
We have no dearth of resources, but we are short in the expertise for the
optimum utilization of those resources. Better management at all the tiers is a
key to national development.
To ensure this, we need people like you to come forward and take the lead in this
respect. This is possible if you achieve human excellence and make your name
in your respective fields. While you get ready to face the challenges of today and
tomorrow, never allow the obstacles to browbeat you into submission. Make
optimism the hallmark of your life. At this point, I recall a quote of Quaid-e-Azam
Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
The great Quaid said and I quote, “Pakistan is proud of her youth, particularly
the students, who are nation builders of tomorrow. They must fully equip
themselves by discipline, education, and training for the arduous task lying
ahead of them.”
Ladies and Gentlemen
Promotion of education has been a mission of my forefathers. They always took
keen interest in the socio-economic and educational development of the people
of Southern Punjab. My father played a leading role in the establishment
of Anjman-e-Islamia Multan along with his brothers. Some educational
achievements
of
Anjman-e-Islamia
Multan
include
Gilani
Law
College, Walayiat Hussain Islamia College, Alamdar HussainCollege, Ghulam
Mustafa Shah Girls College, Shaukat Hussain KG School, Islamia High School
Harm Gate, Islamia High School Aam Khaas Bagh, Islamia High School Daulat
Gate and Raza Shah Public School.
True to my family tradition, it has been my passionate commitment to visit as
many educational institutions and Universities as possible during my four year
stay in office. I believe that communicating with the student community and youth
at large is not only meant to acknowledge their talents and achievements but
also to encourage them to take active part in the national life.
Dear Students
Education is not only a means for socio-economic development of any nation but
it also plays a key role in reforming the individual and collective behaviour of
people. As someone aptly said, "Knowledge and wisdom make a man richer,
by adding value to ones intangible assets, than any other form of wealth
does. The value of intangible assets is much more than the value of ones
tangible assets."
For countries to grow on sustainable basis, the universities must become hub of
knowledge and creator of innovative ideas. They must focus on instilling among
their students a passion to question the worn-out ideas and explore new
solutions to the existing problems. Let the sense of critical inquiry prevail as a
means to come out of difficulties.
Educated societies, in the modern era, have predominantly endorsed the
democratic form of government as against any other. I believe that democracy is
the best system of governance for multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic and pluralistic
societies such as Pakistan’s, as it encourages participatory arrangements and
accommodates opposing view. Both education and democracy are integral to
each other as it allows people space for making informed and intelligent choices.
The governments will continue to come and ago but the system must stay intact
for the larger good of state and society.
Ladies and Gentlemen
At this critical juncture, we are faced with various challenges. Terrorism and law
and order situations have taken a huge toll of our resources both material and
human.
The leadership of the country needs to be given time and support to seek
solutions to these longstanding issues. There are no magic solutions to years of
neglect and poor management. But please note, that I am not pessimistic. On the
contrary, I see a bright silver lining to every dark cloud that stretches against the
blue of our skies on the horizon.
My plea to you and all my country men is to have trust in this democratic
dispensation. I assure you that we can weather all storms if we stay united and
put our trust in the democratic principles, as a way to rule and be ruled.
Ladies and gentlemen,
At this occasion, I would particularly mention the name of Mian Amir Mahmood,
Chairman Punjab Group of colleges who has played a key role in supplementing
the academic institutional structure in the country. Starting with
one Commerce College, Mian Amir has raised a chain of institutions that includes
2 chartered universities, 183 colleges, 350 allied schools. He has indeed proved
to be a visionary and an exceptionally talented entrepreneur. In recognition of his
services for the cause of education and philanthropy, the government
of Pakistan has rightly conferred the Hilal-e-Imtiaz on Mian Amir. I am sure that
he would continue to work even more passionately for advancement of education
in the country.
I am thankful to Mian Amir Mahmood and the management of
the University of Central Punjab for inviting me to their graduation ceremony.
May you have many more such occasions to cherish!
I thank you.
May Allah Almighty bless you all!
Pakistan Paidnabad!