Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday emphasised the need to provide equal opportunities in education and health to fulfil the true vision of Pakistan's founder, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of Daanish School Kuri, the prime minister reflected on the sacrifices made during the 1947 migration, noting that millions left everything behind with the hope of building a nation grounded in justice, fair play, and merit.
He asserted that Pakistan cannot reach its true destination without ensuring accessible, high-quality opportunities for all citizens, stressing that every child from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Gilgit-Baltistan must have access to quality education. After 80 years, he said the nation must pause for honest self-introspection regarding the dreams of 1947.
"This might be some other Pakistan, but not Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah's Pakistan," he remarked while criticising the dual education system. He highlighted the disparity where the elite send their children to prestigious domestic or international institutions, while bright children from impoverished families cannot even dream of attending schools like Aitchison College.
To bridge this gap, the prime minister noted that he established the Daanish Schools network in 2010. He announced that the Punjab Endowment Fund has been transformed into the Pakistan Endowment Fund to ensure nationwide access to education and health for all deserving students.
The event was attended by federal ministers, parliamentarians, foreign diplomats, and a large number of students. Sharing success stories of students from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab who overcame extreme adversity to become doctors and professionals, the prime minister reaffirmed his commitment to providing world-class educational opportunities to underprivileged youth.
He stated that he stood before the nation not merely as a head of government, but as a servant of the people, dedicated to uplifting the marginalized segments of society. He reiterated that the state's resources must be utilized to empower the youth, who are the future architects of the country.
The prime minister also highlighted that the expansion of the Daanish School system to Islamabad and other regions is a step toward national integration. He urged the provincial governments to collaborate in this mission to ensure that the quality of education remains uniform across the country.
Concluding his address, he called upon the youth to work hard and contribute to the development of the nation. He emphasized that education is the only tool that can break the cycle of poverty and lead Pakistan toward economic stability and prosperity.
The ceremony concluded with the prime minister interacting with the students, encouraging them to pursue their goals with dedication and integrity. He assured them that the government would continue to support their academic journeys through scholarships and improved infrastructure.
The establishment of the Pakistan Endowment Fund is expected to provide a significant boost to the educational landscape, enabling thousands of students to access higher education regardless of their financial background.