— PM visits Jamia Ashrafia, expresses condolence over demise of Maulana Ashrafi
LAHORE: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said that providing Pakistani youth with internationally competitive education and training in the information technology sector is among the government’s top priorities.
The prime minister expressed these views during a meeting on Sunday with the parents of late IT prodigy Arfa Karim Randhawa, Samina Amjad and Amjad Karim Randhawa, along with the Chief Executive of the Arfa Karim Foundation, Tabinda Islam.
Paying rich tribute to Arfa Karim, the prime minister lauded her remarkable contributions to the IT sector at a young age and for bringing pride to Pakistan on the global stage. He said that in recognition of her lasting services, the IT Tower in Lahore has been named Arfa Karim Tower.
The prime minister stated that the government was working round-the-clock to transform Pakistan into a regional hub for the IT sector. He added that special emphasis was being placed on IT education and training for youth, along with the promotion of entrepreneurship in the technology sector.
He said that the federal government was continuing its laptop distribution programme this year as well to encourage high-performing male and female students.
Terming the establishment of the Arfa Karim Foundation as a positive step towards the promotion of IT development, the prime minister assured full government support at all levels.
The parents of late Arfa Karim appreciated the government’s initiatives for the development
of the IT sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also visited Jamia Ashrafia to express condolence over the sad demise of Jamia Ashrafia Mohtamim Maulana Hafiz Fazal ur Raheem Ashrafi.
The prime minister offered condolences to the current Mohtamim-e-Aala Maulana Qari Arshad Ubaid. Deputy Mohtamim-e-Aala Hafiz Asad Ubaid, Deputy Mohtamim and son of the late Maulana Fazal ur Raheem Ashrafi Zubair Hasan and Nazim-e-Aala Qari Maulana Owais Hassan were also present.
The prime minister offered Fateha and prayed for elevation of the ranks of the departed
soul.
The prime minister said that the services rendered by late Maulana Fazalur Raheem Ashrafi for Islam would be remembered with respect in the Muslim world.
On this occasion, the prime minister recalled the time when he with his father Mian
Muhammad Sharif regularly attended Jamia Ashrafia for offering Friday prayers over a long period.
He said: “Jamia Ashrafia has always played a role in uniting the Muslim Ummah which is commendable and worthy of appreciation in every respect.”
During the visit, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant Talha Barki were also present.
