Khawaja Asif hails Pakistan’s ‘peace role’, urges focus on education

WEB DESK: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Saturday that Pakistan had earned global recognition for its role in promoting peace while urging young people to pursue knowledge beyond academic qualifications and contribute positively to society.

Pakistan’s achievements

Addressing an event on Saturday, Asif praised the government, Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, saying their leadership had given Pakistan a renewed identity through what he described as success on both the military and diplomatic fronts.

He claimed Pakistan had emerged victorious against India and had also played an exemplary role in preventing a wider regional conflict by promoting peace. According to the defence minister, these achievements had enhanced Pakistan’s international standing, with the country now being recognised globally as a symbol of peace.

Asif said the country’s success in what he referred to as the “Battle for Truth” (Marka-e-Haq) had also drawn international appreciation.

He added that the achievements of both the “battle of war” and the “battle of peace” would be be remembered in “golden letters” in the years ahead and described the past one-and-a-half years as a period in which Pakistan had achieved milestones unmatched in the country’s 78-year history.

Education beyond degrees

The defence minister also stressed the importance of expanding quality education across the country, arguing that education should not be reduced to the pursuit of degrees alone.

He said obtaining a degree did not necessarily amount to acquiring knowledge, adding that an educated society could never become bankrupt because knowledge ultimately determined the path to progress.

Referring to the audience at the event, Asif noted that around 85 per cent were girls and 15pc were boys, describing it as an encouraging sign for education.

He urged teachers, social workers and other stakeholders to help nurture young people into productive and responsible citizens capable of contributing to the country’s development.