(APP): President Dr. Arif Alvi on Tuesday, terming data protection the dynamic facet of a nation’s defence line, said Pakistan needs to train a bulk of human resources capable of fulfilling the needs of cyber security.
Addressing here at the 28th convocation of Military College of Signals (MCS), the president said cyber security was a rapidly growing field that required a targeted approach in education to continually update the set of relevant skills and resources.
President Alvi said globally, millions of people with skills in information technology and telecommunication were in demand to analyze the flood of available data.
In Pakistan, he said, the capacity to process data was only five percent, which needed professionals through capacity building, skill development, and training programmes.
He emphasized setting the direction of students right from the primary level up to higher education to make them aware of the importance of information technology in the contemporary world.
He said enhancing the security of national information systems was of dire significance in view of the frequent cyber attacks faced by the country.
Dr Alvi said for a country, the connotation of a strong defence was not limited to the physical buildup of weapons or fighter jets, but to what extent its professionals could decipher or jam the telecommunication signals of the enemy.
He lauded the Military College of Signals for preparing the highly skilled force of graduates in the field of information security, and electrical and computer software engineering, saying that Pakistan needed such ‘smart and intelligent’ professionals.
He also stressed the need for an ‘intellectual investment’ in the rapidly changing era of technological development.
Transforming the energies of the country’s big youth bulge can make the country stand strong among the comity of nations, he added.
The president recalled that around two million youth had applied for basic skills under the Digi-Skills Programme of the Ministry of Information Technology, of which 1.6 million reached the next level.
He said fulfilling its responsibility, the government had introduced a single national curriculum to provide unified opportunities to the students across the country.
Commandant Military College of Signals Brigadier Syed Ali Raza said MCS was focusing on communication, information technology, information assurance, cyber security and cryptology.
Established in 1947, he said, the MCS was selected as the first constituent college of the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), the country’s premier institution.
The President awarded degrees to the PhD, Master and Bachelor of Engineering degrees to the students on successful completion of their engineering programme.
Captain Ahsan Bilal Tariq was given the President’s gold medal and also the Chief of the Army Staff gold medal for bagging first position in computer software engineering.
Others, who received the President’s gold medal included Eng. Wajeeha Munir, Eng. Maliha Safdar, Sq Ldr Ahsan Waleed Nazar, Maj Jawad Ahmed Jamil, Eng. Aiman Sultan, Lt Col Khurram Shahzad, Maj Aamer Latif Malik, Maj Umer Malik, Eng. Mahnoor Ehtasham, Eng. Rabia Ramzan, and Capt Nabeel Ahmed.
– Video credits: Asad Yar Khan, Senior Reporter Pakistan Television News(PTV)
The nation celebrates Pakistan Day on Sunday with a renewed pledge to transform the country into a true Islamic and welfare state in line with the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
The day is observed to commemorate the historic Lahore Resolution passed on 23rd March in 1940, under which Muslims of the Sub-continent set the agenda of a separate homeland for themselves.
The day dawned with thirty-one-gun salute in the federal capital and twenty-one-gun salute in provincial capitals.
Special prayers were offered in mosques after Fajr prayers for progress and prosperity of the country.
The special feature of the day will be Pakistan Day Military Parade in Islamabad on a limited scale at Aiwan-e-Sadr due to the month of Ramadan.
President Asif Ali Zardari will be the chief guest on the occasion.
Contingents from all the three armed forces will actively participate in the Parade.
Fighter jets from Pakistan Air Force will conduct a flypast.
Radio Pakistan and PTV are broadcasting special programmes to highlight the significance of the day and pay tribute to the leaders and workers of Pakistan Movement.
Pakistan Day, observed annually on March 23rd, holds a place of immense significance in the history of Pakistan. It marks the passing of the Lahore Resolution in 1940, which laid the foundation for the creation of an independent state for Muslims of the Indian subcontinent. This historic day serves as a reminder of the heroic struggle, sacrifices, and unwavering resolve of the Muslims who aspired for a separate homeland where they could live with dignity and practice their religion freely.
The Lahore Resolution: A Milestone in the Freedom Struggle
The All India Muslim League, under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, convened its annual session in Lahore from March 22 to 24, 1940. On March 23rd, the historic resolution was passed at Minto Park (now known as Iqbal Park), demanding separate states for Muslims in the northwestern and eastern regions of India. This resolution, often referred to as the “Pakistan Resolution,” became the cornerstone of the Pakistan Movement and galvanized Muslims into an organized struggle for their rights.
The Heroic Struggle and Sacrifices of the Muslims
The road to independence was not an easy one. The Muslims of the subcontinent faced tremendous challenges, including political opposition, social hardships, and economic constraints. The demand for a separate homeland was met with strong resistance from both the British colonial rulers and the Indian National Congress. However, the unwavering commitment of Muslim leaders and activists fueled the movement with newfound energy and resilience.
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, through his unmatched leadership and unwavering determination, guided the Muslims towards their goal. He emphasized the importance of unity, faith, and discipline, inspiring millions to rally behind the cause. Countless individuals sacrificed their lives, endured imprisonment, and faced brutal oppression, all for the dream of an independent Pakistan.
The Creation of Pakistan: A Dream Realized
The struggle for independence culminated in the emergence of Pakistan on August 14, 1947. The dream envisioned in the Lahore Resolution turned into a reality, marking the beginning of a new era for the Muslims of the subcontinent. The creation of Pakistan was not just the establishment of a new country; it was the fulfillment of a long-cherished aspiration for freedom, identity, and sovereignty.
Pakistan Day: A Tribute to the Nation’s Heroes
March 23rd is celebrated with great enthusiasm across Pakistan. The day begins with special prayers for the prosperity and security of the country, followed by military parades, flag-hoisting ceremonies, and cultural events. The highlight of the day is the grand parade in Islamabad, where the armed forces display their prowess, and national leaders pay tribute to the sacrifices of the past.
Pakistan Day serves as a moment of reflection and gratitude. It reminds the nation of the core principles that led to the creation of Pakistan—unity, faith, and discipline. It is also a call to action for the younger generation to uphold the values of hard work, patriotism, and national integrity to ensure a prosperous future for the country.
Pakistan Day is more than just a historical milestone; it is a testament to the resilience and determination of the Muslims of the subcontinent. It is a day to honor the sacrifices of the past and reaffirm the commitment to building a strong and progressive Pakistan. As the nation moves forward, it must continue to uphold the principles of justice, equality, and unity that were at the heart of the Pakistan Movement.
May Pakistan continue to shine as a beacon of hope, strength, and prosperity for generations to come. Pakistan Zindabad!
