NAROWAL: Federal Minister for Defence Khwaja Muhammad Asif says the country’s geography was changed in 1971 and the curriculum was distorted in the 1980s.

Speaking at the fourth convocation of Khwaja Safdar Medical College, he said the curriculum was deliberately distorted in the 1980s to prepare for the Afghan Jihad. He criticised this decision, saying that the war in Afghanistan is long over, yet Afghan refugees remain in Pakistan. He further lamented that past governments manipulated the curriculum to prolong their power, teaching content unrelated to reality.

Khwaja Asif also expressed concern over the state of education in Pakistan, stating that the country’s intellectuals had committed “academic misconduct” and that the education ministry ranks among the lowest in performance.

He stressed that unless education becomes widely accessible, national problems will persist.

During the ceremony, medals were distributed among sdegree holders and position holders from the 2020 and 2021 medical batches.

The minister said every sector in the country is deteriorating, including the medical profession.

Addressing the convocation, Minister Khwaja Salman Rafiq stated that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has introduced a comprehensive policy for the health sector.

He announced that 1,200 doctors and 3,000 nurses are being hired to strengthen Punjab’s healthcare system. More medical and paramedical staff are being recruited.

He mentioned several new healthcare initiatives, including health cards, dialysis cards, cardiac units, “Clinic On Wheels,” Mary Health Clinics, Mobile Field Hospitals, and transplant services, to enhance medical facilities for citizens.

The event was attended by a large number of professors, assistant professors, doctors and students from Khawaja Safdar Medical College. A total of 61 gold medals were awarded, reflecting the institution’s academic excellence.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2025