Punjab Governor, Muhammad Balighur Rehman presided over the 360th meeting of Punjab University Senate in Old Campus,

LAHORE  ………Chancellor/Punjab Governor, Muhammad Balighur Rehman presided over the 360th meeting of Punjab University Senate in Old Campus, Lahore here today. On this occasion, Vice Chancellor Punjab University Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood, Registrar Dr Ahmad Islam, and Senate members were present. The Senate approved the budget of the university for fiscal year ‪2023-24‬ in the meeting.

Addressing the meeting, Governor Punjab Muhammad Balighur Rehman said that future of the country lies in the hands of our youth, and the role of teachers is important in grooming the new generation and inculcating positive thinking in them. He said that Higher Education Commission was allocated 34 billion rupees in 2013, and this amount was gradually increased every year up to 120 billion rupees by the PML-N government in the ‪2018-19‬ budget, which reflects PML-N’s vision and commitment towards betterment of education. He said, however, it was unfortunate that the budget of higher education was slashed by the successive government , due to which the universities had to face problems. He said that when the coalition government came in 2022, , the government increased funding for Higher Education Commission despite many challenges including the threat of default. He said that academia-industry linkages were necessary to promote the research culture, and increase the financial resources of the universities. He said that Punjab University is a prestigious university and is our pride. He underlined the need to inculcate positive thinking and moral values  in the youth. He directed the universities to take steps to promote distance education.

Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood said that Punjab University was providing the cheapest and quality education in the region. He said that the ranking of the university had increased and many subjects had been included in international rankings. He said that several committees have been established to increase the sources of income of the university. He said that the PU was also facing severe financial pressure due to the temporary suspension of the affiliation process of the colleges. The meeting after deliberations approved all the agenda items.

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Meanwhile, Governor Punjab Muhammad Balighur Rehman in his message on the occasion of Defense Day said that this day reminds us of the martyrs of Pakistan Army, who sacrificed their lives to defend the motherland and thwarted the nefarious intentions of the enemy. He said today is the day to pay homage to the martyrs and ghazis of the 6th September war, who made the defence of the country invincible. The spirit and courage showed by Pakistan Navy, Army and Air Force on September 6, 1965 was unparalleled in the world. This day reminds us of the sacrifices made by Pakistan forces for the motherland and the courage and bravery of the Ghazis. He said that  6 September reminds us that whenever the country faced difficult times a difficult time, the nation always prioritized stability and stability of the  country over its mutual differences and interests. Today, this spirit needs to be revived, and it is the day to renew the pledge that everyone will unite and play his role for the stability and development of the country.