Call to Scientists, Musharraf for Extensive Research in Agriculture

FAISALABAD: President General Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday called upon agro-scientists to carry out extensive research in the field of agricultural sciences to help improve the national economy and overcome unemployment in the community.

"The Higher Education Commission will extend every possible assistance to the universities in creating more Phds to meet the twin goals of further consolidation of the economy and poverty reduction," President Musharraf said addressing centenary celebrations of University of Agriculture.

A large number of agro-scientists drawn from all over the country, former vice chancellors of the agricultural universities and some from the neighboring country India also attended the celebrations.

The President announced a financial grant of Rs. 200 million for the
Agricultural University amidst thunderous applause and said the HEC which had now Rs. 200 billion at its disposal would utilize
its resources for enhancing standard of education and promoting scientific education in the country.

"We will give more money for elevating the standard of education in the country", the President said adding that Pakistan is an agricultural country where 70 percent of its population lives in the rural areas".

It was raining heavily when the President entered the auditorium and said it augured well as the current rain would be instrumental in enhancing Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He stressed that there was a dire need to concentrate on the field of production and added that yield-intensification approach was extremely necessary to overcome need of the population besides
alleviating poverty.

Lauding the prestigious agricultural university, the President observed that it as playing a significant role in imparting agricultural education and created number of agro experts.

Continuing, President Musharraf called for preventing wastage of crops and said Almighty Allah had blessed Pakistan with huge resources of livestock but added that these were not being used in a proper way.

He recalled that Pakistan is the fifth largest country in the world that produces milk and dairy products.

"Unfortunately, we have not been able to produce quality cheese, yogurt and preserving meat that could be termed as a value-added products that could help in earning huge foreign exchange earnings", Musharraf observed.

He said efforts should be made to boost production of value-added products and said steps should be taken to improve our export by producing high-quality products in the field of dairy products.

The President called for creating hundred percent Phd's in agricultural sector so that modern technology could be introduced in this field to help improve national economy that would be helpful in eliminating poverty and unemployment in the country.

Growing Water Requirements

On growing water requirements, the President said his government had given the concept of water vision by 2016 when five dams would be completed to overcome power and water shortage in the
country.

"We require more dams and reservoirs to store water to meet requirement of coming generations - therefore, the government is resolved to build large water reservoirs," Musharraf declared amidst
thundrous applause from the audience.

Regarding the ongoing projects, the President said a project of Rs. 66 billion is under way to brickline watercourses in the country and added that this would vitally be helpful in saving water.

The Agriculture University was established in 1906 as Lyallpur Agriculture College which was later upgraded to the University of Agriculture in 1961.

In his 45-minute address to the packed audience, the President dilated upon economy, education, industrialization, textile, law and order with specific reference to terrorism and extremism.

He said in view of prevailing global changes, government had decided to focus on rapid industrialization as engineering accounted for a large share in world trade.

He pointed out that textile sector made up only six percent of the global commerce.

Musharraf said nation needed engineers of high quality and technical people to contribute in establishing and strengthening industrialization process.

The government, he said, would establish six more universities for imparting technical education with the collaboration of Korea, Germany, France, Sweden and the Netherland.

He said current education system was not compatible with our development requirements.

In the first phase, he continued three engineering universities will be established in Lahore, Sialkot and Multan and assured a network of technical colleges and schools would also be set up.

For this purpose, he said Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) had been established. "You will see lot of changes and improvement in terms of technical education in coming years, the President noted.

Referring to the state of the economy, the President observed it was doing well with export target likely to touch 18 billion dollars, he added.

In terms of revenue he said same would increased three hundred percent while foreign investment was flowing in and foreign investors entering in a large number.

Volumes of Foreign Investors

"The volumes of foreign investors can be gauged from the fact that all hotels are maintaining hundred percent occupancy in hotels, effects of which he assured would be manifest at grass root level in the form of more economic opportunities", he observed.

The President said economic progress and development was deeply linked with congenial atmosphere in the society and said the nation must reject and curb the menaces of terrorism and extremism.

He said that worship places should be used for the betterment and welfare of the people and not for cursing others.

President Musharraf said extremism eventually leads to terrorism and said hatred and sectarianism should be combatted effectively to ensure sustained development of the country.

Chancellor Agriculture University Faisalabad and Governor Punjab Khalid Maqbool speaking on the occasion briefly said that educational institutions are source of inspiration in the society and said government has embarked upon an expanded program for expanding those institutions during last five years.

The Government termed Agriculture University as Mother Institution of the sub-continent and appreciated the efforts of the Vice Chancellor and members of the faculties for putting their best efforts in elevating its standard.

The President later distributed shields among former vice chancellors of the Agriculture University and some faculty members in recognition of their meritorious services.

Chairman Higher Education Commission Dr. Ataur Rehman Khan, Federal Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Sikander Hayat Khan Bosan was also present on the occasion.