RAWALPINDI: Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan on Monday said December 16 is the most painful day in the history of Pakistan when young students were martyred at APS Peshawar.

He stated this while inaugurating a three-day international conference on climate change at Pir Meher Ali Shah Arid University. Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed and university’s Vice Chancellor Dr Mohammad Naeem were also present.

The governor said there are conspiracies against the country from all sides and these forces want to spread unrest in the country through terrorism. However, he added, Pakistan Army along with the people’s power had become an unbreakable force for them.

He said, “We would pay tribute to our forces who are sacrificing their lives for peace and thanks to the sacrifices of these sons of the soil we sleep peacefully at night. The entire nation stands with the security forces and acknowledges their sacrifices.”

Mr Khan said corruption mafias had been active in the country and one example of this was the Attock campus of the arid university where there were neither boundary walls nor any washrooms and other facilities but millions of rupees had been shown spent.

He said he would ensure exemplary punishment for the mafia in Attock campus, adding, “I pay tribute to the vice chancellor of Pir Meher Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University for standing in front of the corruption mafia.”

The governor said climate change had affected Pakistan badly. He said if there are no timely rains in arid areas, crops there are affected. It is the third consecutive year that wheat crop is not giving full yield in the arid areas of Rawalpindi. 

He said till 1992, India and Pakistan had been competing in the agriculture but now we have fallen far behind India. He said farmers in India get diesel and fertilizers on subsidy and this is the main reason for the development of agriculture in India.

Vice Chancellor Dr Mohammad Naeem said innovation in technology is indispensable to combat climate change and universities are leading the way in dealing with the effects of climate change. He said a comprehensive action plan was needed to tackle climate change challenges.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2024