PM formally initiates conversion of PM House into a university
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Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday formally initiated the conversion of the PM House into the Islamabad National University, Radio Pakistan reported.
The announcement was made during a seminar titled "Emerging Challenges and Opportunities for Pakistan".
Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood told Dawn that "an institute of advanced studies for research will be established at the old PM House.
"It will eventually lead to the establishment of a university."
The prime minister, as part of his election campaign, had promised to turn the palatial PM House into a state-of-the-art university.
PM Khan, during his speech at the inauguration ceremony today, said that the purpose of establishing a university at the PM House was to reduce the gap between the government and public.
The premier stressed the importance of "quality education" for a nation's "progress and development", adding that the overall level of education will be improved during his term.
Furthermore, the prime minister assured the Higher Education Commission of his government's full cooperation.
In October, PM Khan had approved the formation of separate committees for evaluation of the draft charter for the university to be built at the PM House as well as the selection of its vice-chancellor.
The PM had also approved the establishment of the Institute of Advanced Studies in the first phase of the university.
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Comments (92) Closed
Dec 21, 2018 01:27pm
Congrats...
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Dec 21, 2018 01:27pm
Good news....
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Dec 21, 2018 01:37pm
Great news and an historic move by the current P.T.I. administration in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. As they say, " promises made, promises kept." Well done and keep it up.
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Dec 21, 2018 01:47pm
The government is bent upon destroying existing infrastructure. They can easily establish a purpose-built university instead of converting a PM residence into a make-shift and ad-hoc university. So much for education.
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Dec 21, 2018 01:54pm
admission should be only on merit and without hostel accommodation.Hostel become hotbed for politics on ethnic basis
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Dec 21, 2018 01:58pm
Who gave him this right to play with our National assets. Can anyone convert White House into a university? This is all a game by our ever imposed rulers men in khaak, to undermine office of elected Prime Minister of Pakistan.
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Dec 21, 2018 02:28pm
How students will go to red zone to attend uni. I guess in underwear to clear the security before enter in the class or MNAS and senators will join the university to attend the classes due to security risks in around area
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Dec 21, 2018 02:34pm
Pakistan's problem is not the number of universities but the quality of education.
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Dec 21, 2018 02:42pm
Indeed, without education, there is darkness.
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Dec 21, 2018 02:47pm
We should be proud to have IK as our PM. For the very first time i feel to be in safe hands. Salute to great IK.
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Dec 21, 2018 02:48pm
Good step khan bhai
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Dec 21, 2018 02:57pm
@Etch Kay, Totally agree.
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Dec 21, 2018 02:57pm
Pakistan spend significantly less portion of GDP on education compared to India/ Israel and so on.. this is a great first step to put us on right track (Sirat-e-mustaqeem)
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Dec 21, 2018 03:02pm
Great Progress MashaAllah!
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Dec 21, 2018 03:04pm
From the English Department at the Hazara University, Mansehra, has recently graduated a blind person with an MA in English literature. That fellow lacks knowledge of even the basics of the English grammar and structure (e.g., the use of have / has, and so on). And, this is by no means an exceptional case.
Oh and the anomalies committed by the pursuants after the degrees of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) is an open secret.
In fact, many of the problems and issues facing the Pakistani society today, I think, are rooted in the empty higher education provided by the colleges and universities in the country.
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Dec 21, 2018 03:15pm
Inauguration of universities are 100 times better than that of motorways... Great thinking IK. keep it up.
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Dec 21, 2018 03:18pm
Islamabad now has 15 universities, whereas most parts of Sindh, south Punjab and Balochistan don't have a single university. So much for equal distribution of wealth and resources.
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Dec 21, 2018 03:20pm
Simply a great step in the right direction!
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Dec 21, 2018 03:23pm
Best investment which can give profit for long term is to invest in education.
Congrts Mr PM for taking the innitiative.
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Dec 21, 2018 03:25pm
And what if next PM wants to make it back a PM house? Where will all the students go? Why is he killing the right of the next PM who really wants to stay in this house?
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Dec 21, 2018 03:27pm
We already have too much Universities in Islamabad, do we really need any further, how many poor people will have access to that university.
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Dec 21, 2018 03:29pm
@zaini, Who allowed to build such luxury house for p.m in the country where more than 50% of population lives below poverty rate??
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Dec 21, 2018 03:29pm
A good step towards a prosperous Pakistan. Thank you Mr. Prime Minister.
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Dec 21, 2018 03:31pm
@Etch Kay, their choice
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Dec 21, 2018 03:32pm
@Etch Kay, not important corrupt infrastructure
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Dec 21, 2018 03:40pm
Good initiative, but it would have been more appropriate if the name has been selected as National University of Pakistan, instead of Islamabad National University. In the present time, there is more need to strengthen federation than it was felt in the past, therefore, Pakistan National University will be a symbol of federation for national cohesion, integrity and harmony. Further, the university should offer admissions to all Pakistanis purely on merit basis, with no quota for any province or region. This way, the National University will be breeding and hunting ground for talent at national level. I hope the authorities will look into this aspect.
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Dec 21, 2018 03:43pm
Shabash. Well done Prime Minister Imran Khan. Quality education is the essence for any nation to progress.
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Dec 21, 2018 03:43pm
Excellent decision. More academic institutions more education more enlightened society and real prosperity/development. IK keep it up. Pakistan cannot afford to have such a luxurious residential palaces for our leadership. We should spend more human development rather than on personal comforts and lavish living standards when public is living a miserable life.
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Dec 21, 2018 03:45pm
@zaini, The people of Pakistan gave him rights by electing him PM and the PM and cabinet have rights to decide it.
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Dec 21, 2018 03:47pm
@Etch Kay, Watch IK interviews this is a symbolic step.
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Dec 21, 2018 04:01pm
Would someone also start sincere work on Quota system prevailing in Sindh? CJ saheb, your tenure is near to end and Mr. PM you believe in Merit based Pakistan. Even past DG Ranger Sindh also suggested to end of Quota system 3 years ago. I would request both of you and COAS Bajwa Saheb to play your part immediately to end Quota system in Sindh which should have ended more than 30 yeas ago and would not have started something which could return one day again sooner or later.
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Dec 21, 2018 04:06pm
We will only believe once it commences and classes start.
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Dec 21, 2018 04:10pm
Great news
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Dec 21, 2018 04:29pm
@Asif, I fully agree. Instead of opening more universities standards in existing government universities should be improved.
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Dec 21, 2018 04:32pm
Great men make great decisions
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Dec 21, 2018 04:39pm
@Sajjad Shaikh , He will shift to Banigala.
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Dec 21, 2018 04:57pm
He is a honest man, he serious about Education, law, corruption, governance, economy and wellness of Pakistanis, my dear Pakistanis fellows, congratulations to have Imran Khan as a leader not as a politician. Our nation have very good chance to get back pride, prestige and integrity after many many decades, please united and stand for IK..
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Dec 21, 2018 05:16pm
Great news! Photographs of ex PMs may be moved to PM secretariart or deposited in national archives. Expensive furniture may be auctioned off and proceeds donated to newly established shelter homes. Next step is to retrieve large and sprawling official residences from bureaucracy and ministers.
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Dec 21, 2018 05:25pm
A good decision. PM IK must convert the slot of PM seat as a servant to Pak people, there should be no perks, no mughalism outlook, no arrogance, absolutely no VIP culture. A PM Office should be like a humble, care taker,
NGO Office. But the management, strict application for rule of law, with no nepotism, no favoritism, should be prominent.PM IK deserves great appreciation from people of Pakistan.
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Dec 21, 2018 05:32pm
It is called window dressing.
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Dec 21, 2018 05:41pm
Pakistan needs to build institutions which can produce top quality professionals such as IT,dentist,nurses,doctors,surgeons,economist,bankers,managers,leaders,engineers and innovators which the world needs,not paper graduates who hardly can write their own CV's.
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Dec 21, 2018 05:50pm
great news
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Dec 21, 2018 05:51pm
@Danish, when the security of the nation is improving. The security around the capital would be on a low key basis.
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Dec 21, 2018 05:51pm
@Sajjad Shaikh , Nation can't afford such a luxury accomodations . Billions of debt and PM of Pakistan was living in luxury castle. Shame
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Dec 21, 2018 05:52pm
its great news to know , promise done
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Dec 21, 2018 05:53pm
@Saaqib Mahmood, corruption has seeped into every aspect. nepotism has played its part. there are no checks and balances.
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Dec 21, 2018 05:56pm
Have they come lifetime? These buildings r national heritage n its conversion into University should have parliament nod.Its conversion may cost high. Then next pm govt may construct another pm house which is necessary for foreign dignitaries.pm house consists of various other offices too.These aspects must be kept in view. The decision taken in haste r not fruitful. Any pm doesn't want to stay in designated building, he may live in own house.
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Dec 21, 2018 06:15pm
Now, why not donate a part of the 300 acres of land on which Imran Khan's house is built?
Charity begins at home.
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Dec 21, 2018 06:20pm
Let us hope and pray nobody files an appeal in the courts against this noble initiative.
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Dec 21, 2018 06:23pm
@zaini, The people of Pakistan sir, he was elected in General Elections 2018, you may like it or not
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Dec 21, 2018 06:25pm
No doubt some timewaster will file a petition to stop this building from converting into a university. Most likely someone who is a PMLN or PPP supporter.
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Dec 21, 2018 06:44pm
@Sajjad Shaikh , Why next PM would insist to live in such a house. A PM of poor nation should not be living in a palace.
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Dec 21, 2018 06:57pm
Government must focus on reducing inflation, which is affecting common people's lives, instead of wasting time on these useless minor decisions.
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Dec 21, 2018 07:00pm
its good step KHAN'S for conversion of PM house into Advanced research University. PM sb want to enhancement of education among the Pakistani people ......Good Step
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Dec 21, 2018 07:05pm
What about the President house?
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Dec 21, 2018 07:50pm
Very good decision. Promise must also honor the esteem of the place.
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Dec 21, 2018 08:05pm
so where will the future PM of pakistan live? rent a 2 bedroom somewhere?
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Dec 21, 2018 08:13pm
A national asset being transformed into a true national asset! Kudos to our visionary Kaptaan!
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Dec 21, 2018 08:43pm
@Khaled, disagree. Poor can't afford such palaces.
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Dec 21, 2018 08:54pm
Unwise decision by PM.Probably for cheap political popularity. PM should provide more resources to improve the standard of the existing universities instead. PM 's decision should have been passed by the cabinet and discussed by the parliament as it affects the Islamabad City Master Plan. Is CDA sleeping?
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Dec 21, 2018 08:59pm
Why use the PM House? Setup a university elsewhere. An education institute so close to political noise is not good for the education system.
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Dec 21, 2018 09:02pm
Cheap popularity gaining tactic !
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Dec 21, 2018 09:04pm
Spectacular Step by PM imran Khan...Sir We always Support You..Keep It Up and thanku
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Dec 21, 2018 10:27pm
Bravo... way to go
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Dec 21, 2018 11:03pm
And they thought it was an election stunt!
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Dec 21, 2018 11:47pm
All buildings near to the PM house are security sensitive. I do not think its feasible!
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Dec 22, 2018 12:05am
I think he is making a big mistake. The PM house is not his personal property, it is public property, so he should get consensus from parliament.
Next PM will bring it back to PM House, it would cost tremendous public money.
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Dec 22, 2018 12:12am
@zaini,
As I understand it's meant to be a government run University. This makes it a national asset, too.
We need hundreds of new universities in Pakistan to have any chance of narrowing the Gap in technologies and thus creating a future for coming generations.
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Dec 22, 2018 01:01am
Kudos to the PTI and its charismatic skipper for giving practical shape to an important and unique pre election promises. It would be more appropriate if the institution of education his Govt. is planning to open in official PM house is all research oriented more so in the fields of Medical and Agriculture Sciences and is dedicated to the Person who has influenced him the most in shaping and sharpening his current dynamic role.
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Dec 22, 2018 01:27am
Would NS had ever done this? .. Of course not !
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Dec 22, 2018 01:51am
Good step
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Dec 22, 2018 03:03am
That structure belongs to the people not to a political party. Where will he reside now, if grandeur was the reason, Banigala is no less grandiose.
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Dec 22, 2018 03:17am
@Saaqib Mahmood, first learn to write before you give fake examples.
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Dec 22, 2018 03:22am
Great to hear but PM also needs to focus on the standard of education in Pakistan.
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Dec 22, 2018 04:11am
@Etch Kay, government buildings are owned by the people of Pakistan, we are just choosing what to take back and that's all. We will choose not them.. GREAT WORK Capitan!
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Dec 22, 2018 04:13am
Good approach
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Dec 22, 2018 04:32am
These are cosmetic changes. This will certainly not help to alleviate poverty, provide jobs and grow the economy.
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Dec 22, 2018 04:48am
@From overseas , Motorways and Universities are not mutually exclusive. Both are necessary for national development. Imagine if we had not built the Lahore/Islamabad/Peshawar motorway, what would have been the state of traffic on the old GT road today. Nawaz Sharif had to cop all sorts of corruption charges for this visionary project.
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Dec 22, 2018 06:20am
There should be a Peoples House called " Prime Minister House"
It should be approved by National Assembly.
Unilateral decision by Imran Khan or any party is a BAD idea and in fact such monumental decision must be approved by Assembly.
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Dec 22, 2018 06:50am
Excellent message. Elected representatives are to serve not to rule.
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Dec 22, 2018 08:05am
@H, agreed, he wouldn't have dared to modify the master plan of Islamabad the 'beautiful' without the consent of the parliament.
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Dec 22, 2018 08:41am
@Adi, I don't think. Admiration from India.
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Dec 22, 2018 08:57am
Why doesn't he convert his 300 kanal house in a university?
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Dec 22, 2018 09:00am
@Hassan Riaz, PTI got just 13% of the total votes. They barely have a majority in Parliament. In senate they don't even have a majority. How can they make new laws.
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Dec 22, 2018 09:01am
Some money coming from various countries will not solve Pakistan's problems but will only be used for paying interest on huge debts. The country has to necessarily increase its exports by triple to overcome the present financial crisis.
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Dec 22, 2018 09:49am
Foundation of great Universities are not buildings but talented, dedicated teachers with high moral and ethical standards.
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Dec 22, 2018 10:03am
What good another university will do to the academia! Fix the current fiasco in higher education first!
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Dec 22, 2018 11:17am
Right direction, right vision.
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Dec 22, 2018 01:10pm
Converting it into an international convention centre would be a better idea. The government could earn some much needed foreign currency and it would be very popular since there wouldn't be another like it anywhere.
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Dec 22, 2018 10:39pm
Converting pm house into University as universities have already transformed to ‘political rings’.
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Dec 23, 2018 02:33am
Pls do the same in sindh and boluchistan.
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Dec 23, 2018 02:21pm
What kind of a University are we talking about here ?
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