ABBOTTABAD
Provincial Minister for Elementary and Secondary Education Arshad Ayub Khan has said that Pakistan urgently needs a new generation equipped with fresh ideas, technological skills, and command over modern tools such as artificial intelligence to compete in a rapidly advancing world.
He expressed these views during his visit to Abbottabad Public School, where he inaugurated the new boardroom and attended the annual prize distribution ceremony as the chief guest.
During the visit, the minister inspected various academic departments, laboratories, and classrooms. He also appreciated the scientific models and projects prepared by students, terming them a reflection of teachers’ dedication and modern educational standards.
Addressing the ceremony, Arshad Ayub Khan said it was an honour to visit the historic institution, noting that his grandfather’s brother, Sardar Bahadur, was among its founders. He said APS continues to play a vital role in producing future leaders.
The minister highlighted the need for youth equipped with innovative ideas and technological expertise, especially as the world rapidly advances toward modernisation. He stressed that artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are transforming the education sector. He urged students to move forward with determination, discipline, and a spirit of national pride.
Arshad Ayub Khan announced that issues faced by the institution would be resolved in the upcoming board meeting, which would be held at the school itself, assuring students and staff that all promises made would be fulfilled.
Principal Akhtar Ali Qureshi, in his address, shared the institution’s remarkable academic performance. In Grade 9, 106 students secured A1 and A grades; 79 students achieved A1 grades in matriculation; 59 in Intermediate Part-I and 64 in Part-II obtained A1 and A grades. He said that APS places equal focus on character building and co-curricular activities, with students participating in various national-level sports festivals.
He added that, under the directives of the Chief Minister, construction of the school auditorium is underway, and APS has recently been designated as an official examination centre for Cambridge and Oxford.
The ceremony concluded with the distribution of prizes among students who excelled in academics and extracurricular activities.
