Elimination of terrorism vital for development: Maqbool
By Hina Kiyani

ISLAMABAD—Governor Punjab Lieutenant Gen. (Retd) Khalid Maqbool has made it clear that Pakistan cannot be developed till complete elimination of menace of terrorism and extremism from the country.
The terrorism and extremism are major challenges being faced by Pakistan; he said this while addressing the 5th Convocation of Muhammad Ali Jinnah University (MAJU) here at Convention Centre on Thursday. The incumbent Government is trying its level best to ensure peace and calm in the country, he said, adding that, peace and tranquility are more vital instead of democracy.
We have example of Iraq where US tried its best to introduce democracy but she could not do so due to deteriorated law and order situation there, Governor Punjab maintained. He said only those countries in the world can develop who runs their projects consistently. Appreciating the performance of Muhammad Ali Jinnah University, Governor Punjab Khalid Maqbool stressed the need of concentration towards higher studies by saying that the previous Governments had done nothing in fields of education.
The Government, he said, is utilizing Rs. 5 billion annually in education field, added, upto 150 private and Government run Universities are working throughout the country. There is dire need of 500 more Universities in the country, he noted. The education standard of the country should be akin to International standard, he added. Lt. Gen. (Retd) Khalid Maqbool went on to say that Pakistan should be centre of Banking, Finance, energy, media and Internet industry in future and it is impossible without concentration of students.
He urged student to remove objections being raised on entertainment in the name of Islam. Today United Arab Emirates is centre of International trade and Pakistan should focus its concentration in this respect, he added.
Beside bringing relevancy in education with global neends, the governor said that more efforts were necessary to make education applicable to national requirements and to resolve problems recurring in society. He also appreicated the university, saying it had gone a long way in terms of its staff, labs and intrusture since its inception and its students were serving at prestigious posts in private and public sector. Speaking on the occasion Executive Vice President of the University Muhammad Manzoor Ahmed hightlighted the role of the univesity and Punjab groug of colleges in promotion of quality education.
Earlier, the Governor Punjab distributed medals among student who stood first in their respective Programme and awarded Ph. D degree to three students.