Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar visited the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology (GIK Institute) on December 20, 2023. During his visit, he offered the Institute his full support in its mission to provide quality education to the larger segment of youth across the country by establishing campuses in other provinces also. He also met and exchanged views with GIK Institute’s parent body, the Society for Promotion of Engineering Sciences and Technology in Pakistan (SOPREST), including its President, Engr. Salim Saifullah Khan, Executive Director Shakil Durrani, Board Members, Rector Prof. Dr. Fazal Ahmad Khalid, Pro-Rector Administration Sardar Aminullah Khan, Pro-Rector (Academics) Dr. Hassan Zaidi, Deans, and Directors.
Prime Minister Kakar earlier inaugurated the newly built girls’ hostel, financed by the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and with a total cost of Rs 550 million. He praised the Institute’s role in empowering young women through their enrolment in engineering and management education in large numbers. He emphasized the importance of providing first-rate facilities to female students and pledged the government’s continued backing in this endeavor.
Mr. Kakar also engaged in an interactive session with GIK Institute students. He commended their dedication and highlighted the crucial role universities like GIK play in shaping the future of Pakistan. He announced exciting news: the government will extend full support to GIK Institute’s expansion plans by facilitating the establishment of a sub-campus in Islamabad/Rawalpindi. He underscored his vision for GIK Institute to spread its outreach across the country, and bringing modern knowledge,
and educational opportunities to larger segments of the population. “I want to see GIKs in every province, and the federal government will assist GIK for this purpose” he declared. He also talked of ending elitism in the country and commended GIK for admissions on merit alone, supporting the needy students and becoming pride of the nation by maintaining high standards of education acknowledged internationally.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the Institute’s significant contributions to national development on basis of top-quality education imparted to talented students on merit and innovative work done in the fields of engineering and technology. The Prime Minister emphasized to increase industry-academia relations and effective role of the government in improving the same. He also lauded the legacy of GIK Institute’s founder, former President Ghulam Ishaq Khan, calling it a “beacon of excellence” and a source of national pride. He expressed confidence that with continued dedication and government support, GIK Institute will continue to shine brightly in Pakistan’s academic landscape and help tackle the challenges of the future.
The Prime Minister expressed the need for bringing about a system where leaders perform effectively during their tenures and genuinely serve the people, being crucial for the progress and well-being of the nation at large. By choosing leaders with a track record of accomplishments, a dedication to transparency, and a genuine connection with the needs of the people, communities can ensure a governance that promotes positive change, collective interests of society and fostering a culture of accountability and responsible leadership.
Eng. Salim Saifullah Khan, President SOPREST and BOG GIK Institute explained the future plans of GIK that include establishment of a new campus at Islamabad. He stated that GIK has consistently stood at the forefront of technological education, innovation, and research while the demand for quality technical education is rising, therefore we want to establish a new campus.
He sought financial support from the government to facilitate the construction of state-of-the-art facilities, laboratories, classrooms, and research centers. The new campus will not only accommodate the increasing number of students but also enable us to enhance our research capabilities, contribute to technological advancements, and address the ever-evolving demands of the digital era.
The new branch of GIK will play an important role in fostering innovation, and critical human infrastructure required for economic development of Pakistan. Furthermore, the new campus will serve as a hub for collaboration between academia, industry, and government, creating a conducive environment for modern research and development for which the PM committed measures will be undertaken by the government for overall progress and competitiveness of our country in the global technological landscape. He advised construction of the new campus in the closed proximity of Islamabad to the benefit of the residents of the twin- cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad and adjoining districts.
The members of the Board of Governors of the Institute expressed their gratitude to the Prime Minister for his visit to GIK and sharing his valued thoughts with the students at the university. The students participated in the interactive session with the Prime Minister on various academic and national development issues.
