S. A Haidri,
Islamabad: A three day educational tour of Rawalpindi comprised of students from Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST) besides other students from Gilgit Baltistan (GB) was organized under the aegis of Pakistan Army to visit different institutes of Pak Army to familiarize university students culminated successfully.
Around 180+ students among 134 from MUST, 43 from GB including faculty members were among the crew of engagement initiative tour and all were very delighted and esteemed during their tour in addition on the endeavors of Pak Army for maintaining peace in the country.
First day of the tour, students visited the Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) where concerned officials briefed the students about defense equipment and their assembling process. One of the student from MUST Muneeb ur Rehman said that it was a remarkable experience to visit HIT where we are apprised about the latest equipment’s essential for the defense of our country.
Students also had an integration on the eve of first day with Dr. Rashid Ahmed a (Ph.D. scholar from University of Karachi) professor in National Defense University (NDU), he elaborated the concept of Nationalism, saying that masses often mixed up with terminologies chaos, he also explained the concepts of Nationalism and Patriotism.
The dawn of Second day was started on the visit of Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) where students were apprised about the production of arms and ammunition used for the defense of our country.
POF is the largest defense industrial complex under the Ministry of Defense Production producing conventional arms and ammo to International standards. It comprised of 14 ordnance factories and three commercial subsidiaries
Later on the delegation went to Pakistan Army Museum in Rawalpindi which itself was a great experience where students were briefed about the history of wars and achievements of Pak Army during wars. An eye catching 1956 Cadillac Fleetwood car which was in use of Field Marshal General Ayub Khan, General Muhammad Musa and General Yahya Khan besides a Willy jeep belonged to Narianjan Parshad GOC 15 Indian infantry captured by 18 Battalion Baloch regiment in the afternoon of 8th September 1965 were also present in the museum.
On the eve of second day, Additional Inspector General Azad Jammu and Kashmir Police Faheem Ahmed Khan delivered a lecture about his experiences during his services rendered in East Timor, saying that the when he asked to Founder of East Timor Jose- Ramos Hota that what is significant in the referendum of east Timor while Kashmiri still seek plebiscite according to the resolution of UNCIP since 5th January 1949, Jose Ramos Hota replied that You should know that how much of your youth is involved in freedom movement, “the movement only sustains when Youth in educational institute should be intellectually clear and must have good command in regard of knowledge and information” Faheem Khan said.
Prime Minister AJK Raja Farooq Haider Khan hosted the dinner on second day, PM AJK in his address to students said that we set three main objectives when our government become incumbent in 2016 i.e. Kashmir freedom of movement, good governance and development of infrastructure.
He said that our focus is on health, education and development of basic infrastructure of roads in the state, “37% non-development budget of AJK is being spent on Education” PM AJK said.
“We have set and improved the procedure of induction in education department by introducing third party induction through NTS for non-gazette posts besides requisition of gazette posts to AJK Public service commission.
He emphasized that educated Youngsters with positive approach should come forward and take participation in different fields of life for the betterment of the society.
The third day started with a visit to National Defense University (NDU) where students were apprised about the programs, academia and functions of the university, they also visited the different sections of the NDU.
After the visit of NDU, there was a session held by Special Communication Organization (SCO) where students were briefed about the functions and services rendered for the masses living in AJK and GB even in the far-flung areas of these territories.
Director General SCO Major General Ali Farhan was the chief guest of the event, during his speech, he said, “SCO works in the highest mountains range of the world, SCO always endeavors to facilitate the people of AJK and GB besides organizing other activities for the betterment of the society.”
“Our institution is owned by you (People of AJK and GB) and you matters for us, while other networks are owned by international personnel whose aim is to earn revenue only” he said.
Later on the delegation also visited the head quarter of SCO and they appreciated the work being done by SCO for the people of both regions.
One of the student, Irshad Ali Manwa, said that it was a great experience where I saw Heavy Industries Taxila and Pakistan Ordnance factories which I have never visited before, “Now I can realize that how much of hard work is being done by our brave armed forces for our defense” he said.
Another student Afifa Awais Chaudhary said that she is one among those students who got this privileged chance to visit these important places, “it was a wonderful experience to visit Army Museum where I have seen the many precious arms besides the history of wars and real views of borders placed in the museum” she said.
Vice Chancellor MUST Dr. Habib ur Rehman also accompanied the students in different sessions during the three day visit and expressed his gratitude to PAK Army for giving this propitious opportunity to the students of MUST and other from GB.
