Pakistan needs quality graduates for fast track development: Chairman Senate

SWABI, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Jun, 2026) Chairman Senate, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani here Tuesday said that Pakistan needed quality graduates who can solve problems, create employment opportunities, and contribute to the country's development on fast track basis.

He said that the country's civil and military leadership deserved congratulations for its excellent role in promoting peace between the United States and Iran.

The Chairman Senate expressed these views while addressing the annual convocation of the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute (GIKI) Topi in Swabi as the chief guest.

Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani said that it was a great honor for him to attend the annual convocation on behalf of the President Asif Ali Zardari today. 

While congratulating all graduating students, he said that their success was the result of their dedication and hard work. 

He also extended heartfelt congratulations to their parents and teachers, whose support had made this achievement possible.

He said that GIKI has played a significant role in promoting quality higher education in Pakistan and that it is a matter of great pride that the institute is among the country's leading institutions in computing, engineering, science, technology, and management.

He added that GIKI plays a key role in promoting the knowledge economy, adding countries that prioritize knowledge and science & technology continue to progress, while those that rely on others for knowledge and fail to keep pace with modern educational and technological demands are left behind.

Yousaf Raza Gilani said that we must focus on production instead of dependence, encourage innovation, and prioritize development.

He said institutions such as GIKI have an important role to play in achieving these goals.

He emphasized that universities should not be judged by the number of graduates they produce, but by the quality of their research and their ability to meet the demands of the modern world.

The Chairman Senate further said that Pakistan has one of the world's largest youth populations, with more than 60 percent of its population being young people.

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This demographic advantage can only be utilized by equipping young people with knowledge and skills.

He stressed the need for more engineers, scientists, and researchers, adding that Pakistan requires graduates who can solve problems, generate employment, and contribute to national progress on fast track basis.

Yousaf Raza Gilani said that he has always been committed to promoting higher education in the country and that this was also the vision of the former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto Shaheed.

He said that education was one of his top priorities during his tenure as Prime Minister, during which investments were made in the education sector. As Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, he said he remains committed to advancing education, science, technology, and research.

He observed that the institute's current convocation hall is too small and suggested that the next convocation be held at the Islamabad Convention Hall.

He also congratulated Pakistan's civil and military leadership for their excellent role in facilitating peace between the United States and Iran, expressing hope and prayers for the success of the peace process. He called it a major achievement that should benefit the entire world.

He said that Muslims are often accused of being associated with terrorism, but the recent landmark Islamabad 's peace initiative between US-Iran has not only enhanced Pakistan global image of being a peace loving country but it also demonstrates that islam is a religion of peace and that Muslims believe in peace and reconciliation rather than terrorism.

He said Pakistan's positive role has nullified negative propaganda against the country.

Earlier, the Senate Chairman distributed degrees among the graduating students and presented medals to those who had achieved outstanding academic performance.

The ceremony was also attended by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, Saleem Saifullah Khan, faculty members, and other officials. Upon his arrival at the institute, the Senate Chairman received a warm welcome.

APP/fam