PM lays foundation for Daanish School in AJK; promises educational and economic progress
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Photo: File
MUZAFFARABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday welcomed a recent report submitted to the US Congress that credited Pakistan with “military success” during its four-day standoff with India in May, saying the findings validated the country’s armed forces and their professional excellence.
Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony of a Daanish school in Azad Kashmir’s Harighel, the Prime Minister said the report confirmed what the country’s brave soldiers had achieved.
He reiterated that the US Congress report highlighted Pakistan’s exemplary performance during Marka-e-Haq, including the downing of seven Indian aircraft. He credited Army Chief Marshal Asim Munir for the success of the armed forces.
“Our soldiers and pilots have earned Pakistan’s respect on the world stage,” Shehbaz said, highlighting the “courageous and timely decisions” taken by civilian and military leaders to decisively respond to Indian aggression.
The report, submitted by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, also said Pakistani forces shot down several Indian jets, including Rafales, during the four-day standoff, which later became a “key selling point for Chinese defense exports”.
Shehbaz said the nation must now complement its battlefield achievements with economic progress. “Having proven our military capabilities, the time has come to achieve victories in the economic field. Nations that do not develop economically cannot succeed,” he stressed.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). “Pakistan will continue its moral, political and diplomatic support. One day, children of occupied Kashmir will also study in Daanish schools,” he said.
Shehbaz highlighted the expansion of the Daanish network of schools, initially launched in Punjab in 2010, to Azad Kashmir. New campuses are planned in Neelum Valley and Forward Kahuta, with the aim of providing disadvantaged children with access to quality education, modern technology, free uniforms, meals, accommodation and trained teachers recruited from local communities.
Shehbaz stressed that the government remains focused on sustainable economic development and asked the new AJK leadership to ensure strong governance and better public services for residents.
At the ceremony, attended by AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, federal ministers and members of the AJK Legislative Assembly, the Prime Minister directed the AJK Education Ministry to complete the Harighel facilities by March 23, 2026.
Speaking on the occasion, Rathore hailed the initiative as a reflection of the Prime Minister’s commitment to the region, saying that students graduating from Daanish schools will become future leaders benefitting AJK and Pakistan.
Earlier, Shehbaz chaired a high-level meeting in Islamabad to review the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). He asked the authorities to speed up the process in full transparency and presented his plan to expand the fleet from 18 to 38 airworthy planes by 2029.
The meeting was attended by Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, federal ministers Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Prime Minister’s Advisor on Privatization Muhammad Ali and senior officials.
