MITHI: Sindh Minister for Education Syed Sardar Ali Shah on Friday announced his government’s plans to establish science museums throughout the province.

“This year has been declared the ‘Year of Science in Sindh’ in which science exhibitions will be planned in all schools across the province. Scientific thinking is essential for countering extremism and fostering innovation,” said the minister while speaking to media persons in Mithi.

He highlighted the importance of promoting science and creative education and urged children to focus on science and arts education. “The Sindh government is committed to preparing youth for future, with recruitment in various departments to be conducted through IBA soon. Over Rs2 billion is being invested in Tharparkar under the Annual Development Program (ADP),” he noted.

Shah reiterated Pakistan Peoples Party’s stance on the province’s water rights and called the Indus River lifeline of Sindh. “We strongly oppose new canals on the Indus River that have endangered our lands and livelihoods. The PPP will never accept such projects,” he said.

He said that Karoonjhar was not just a hill, “it is a cultural and historical heritage tied to the beliefs of Jainism, Hinduism, and Islam.”

Training programme

The Thar Foundation, in collaboration with the Pakistan Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (PITHM), has provided professional training to 48 young individuals in cooking and housekeeping and awarded certificates to the participants.

Prominent among the participants were; Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company SITE chief M. Azhar Malik, Thar Foundation general manager Farhan Ansari, and PITHM director Niaz Ali Malkani.

Khair Mohammad Kalwar, secretary of Culture, Tourism, Antiquities, and Archives Department, highlighted the program’s importance and said: “Training initiatives like this equip the youth with skills for employment and entrepreneurship, empowering them to contribute meaningfully to the region’s development,” he said.

On the occasion, food supplements and mosquito nets were distributed to 120 lactating women, while the guests participated in a sapling plantation drive at Ansari Green Park and toured major development projects in the area, including SECMC’s coal mine and Engro Powergen’s 660 MW power plant.

Published in Dawn, December 7th, 2024