SANA

ISLAMABAD (SANA): Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has assured the government will give due priority and importance to the education sector particularly the higher education for the socio-economic development of the country.
   
Addressing the fifth convocation of the Sarhad University in Islamabad on Friday, he, however, said the government alone can not accomplish this gigantic task and the private sector has to come forward for the promotion of education sector.
  
He said the government has particularly adopted a policy for the promotion of higher education in the country and under this policy faculties and students will be offered scholarships besides access to latest technology and international journals.

He said education is the only mean through which we can keep pace with the developed world and promote national and international harmony, maintain a national value and ensure socio economic, technological development of the country.

He said the higher education is recognized as the capital investment and is of the paramount important for socio economic development of the country.

Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani  said only  those nations earn true respectable place in the comity of nations which make untiring efforts in the fields of science and technology and make advancements in the shortest possible time.

Pointing to the problems confronting the NWFP and tribal areas, the Prime Minister said the government is pursuing a three pronged strategy consisting of dialogue, development and deterrence for bringing normalcy in the restive areas.

He said the government is giving priority to the dialogue process to address the root causes of terrorism and extremism. He pointed out that poverty, hunger, deprivation and unemployment breeds terrorism and the government will provide all basic amenities to the people to address the ground problems.  

He, however also made it clear that no would be allowed to establish parallel governments and challenge the writ of the government.  He also sought assistance of the young generation for effectively meeting the challenge.