PESHAWAR
Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Monday said Allama Muhammad Iqbal had given the nation a great vision and a clear intellectual direction, and it was now the responsibility of the people, particularly the youth, to transform that vision into reality.
Addressing an Iqbal Day ceremony as chief guest at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University Peshawar, the Governor said Allama Iqbal was not merely a poet but a great philosopher and visionary who awakened among Muslims the spirit of selfhood, dignity, intellectual freedom and a distinct national identity.
Adviser to Governor on Education Dr Amir Abdullah, Adviser on Sports and Youth Affairs Sarfraz Ali, Secretary, Higher Education Abidullah Kakakhel, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Anila Anwar, faculty members and students attended the ceremony.
Congratulating the Vice Chancellor and the university administration for organizing the event, Governor Kundi said Iqbal’s message centered on knowledge, character, self-confidence and recognizing one’s true potential. He said Iqbal had immense faith in the younger generation and regarded them as the driving force behind national development and positive change.
The Governor said the daughters of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa possessed immense talent and potential to excel in every field, adding that providing them with quality education, opportunities and institutional support was a collective responsibility. He said educated women could play a vital role in the development and leadership of both the province and the country, emphasizing that educating one woman was an investment in the progress of an entire family and society.
He said Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University was playing a significant role in promoting women’s education and empowerment, adding that universities should produce capable, ethical and enlightened leaders instead of merely awarding degrees.
Urging students to believe in their abilities, the Governor advised them not to fear asking questions or embracing new ideas, and to treat failures as stepping stones towards success. He encouraged them to set ambitious goals and strive persistently to achieve them.
Governor Kundi said the greatest asset of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was its people, especially the youth, stressing that investment in education, research, innovation and strong educational institutions was essential to transform their potential into sustainable development.
He said equal opportunities should be available to every young person regardless of their background, adding that the province needed educational institutions that truly empowered youth and brought meaningful change to their lives.
