Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Wednesday that the federal government will fund the development of new schools in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), underscoring his administration’s focus on education.
During a ceremony in Bhimber, AJK, PM laid the foundation stone for the region’s first “Daanish school science and technology center of Excellence”.
The initiative aims to provide high-quality education to underprivileged children in remote areas, marking a significant step toward educational equity.
Addressing attendees, Pm Shehbaz described the Daanish school as a transformative initiative that enables children from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue quality education.
He emphasized the importance of equal opportunities, announcing separate campuses for boys and girls, along with free books, meals, and boarding facilities.
“This school will light the path for children in less-developed areas, helping them achieve their dreams,” the prime minister remarked, directing authorities to complete construction within a year.
PM Shehbaz credited the Daanish school program to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, under whose leadership it was first introduced in Punjab.
He highlighted its success, with thousands of graduates now contributing to various sectors.
Reaffirming his government’s commitment, he pledged to establish additional Daanish schools in underserved regions, including Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s merged districts.
Shehbaz Sharif also condemned Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir, reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering diplomatic, political, and moral support for Kashmiris in their struggle for self-determination.
“The sacrifices of Kashmiris will not go in vain; their freedom is inevitable,” he asserted.
Federal Minister Amir Muqam hailed the project as a “game-changer,” announcing plans for three more schools in AJK.
AJK Prime Minister Anwarul Haq expressed gratitude for the initiative, calling it a monumental step for Bhimber’s underprivileged children.
Federal Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui commended the focus on education, stating, “Nations progress through knowledge, and this initiative embodies the vision of educational empowerment.”
