News
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
US helping Pakistan to make it stronger: Munter
* KP education minister says educated people in a better position to identify their enemies
ISLAMABAD: US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter on Tuesday said his country has been providing help and assistance to Pakistan to make it strong with improved provision of basic needs of life to the people living in different parts of the country.
He was addressing a ceremony at National Library to commemorate completion of renovation work of schools in FATA and Malakand areas which were damaged by the terrorists and extremists.
The ambassador said, “It is our effort to improve education system in Pakistan, especially in under developed areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). It is common task for Pakistan and US to secure the future of children by imparting them education. We want that Pakistani children be stronger and providing them maximum facilities especially educational facilities at their doorsteps.”
He said a strong and stable Pakistan is in the interest of America, therefore, USAID and other organisations are working in Pakistan to improve the infrastructure. “More than 700 schools in FATA and Malakand have been repaired and equipped with books, furniture and other basic needs with training to the teachers. The project started three years ago and continued despite many hardships, especially the security issue in the areas where military started its operation against the extremists,” he said.
He also appreciated the leadership of KP for taking strong and difficult decisions to fight the terrorists and reviving the educational system, especially for the female students.
The ambassador said, with cooperation and joint efforts, “we can fulfil our dreams” for a better, prosperous and progressive Pakistan.
Education Minister of KP, Sardar Hussain Babak, said that the USAID provided valuable support in repairing the educational institutions and reviving the educational facilities.
The minister said some people are involved in propaganda that Americans are not friends of Pakistan, which is wrong, and the real enemies of Pakistan are those who destroyed these educational institutions, threatening peace and security of the country.
Appreciating the contribution of USAID and other international donor agencies, the minister said, there is need to promote education system. He said educated people could be in a better position to identify their enemies.
The minister said KP people sacrificed their lives for the security and prosperity of the province and assured that they will continue to give sacrifices in the future for the national interest. USAID Pakistan chief Dr Andrew Sisson and other officials also attended the ceremony.
The ambassador also interacted with some of the students who specially visited Islamabad from FATA and Malakand schools to attend the ceremony. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk