PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak has lauded the academic standard of Islamia College University (ICU) Peshawar and its services for the academic development of the province.

He was addressing the launching ceremony of a book on the history of Islamia College authored by Dr Lal Baha at Roos Keppel Hall of ICU on Thursday.

The chief minister appreciated the work of Dr Lal Baha and said that Islamia College Peshawar and affection of people to the college had become a part of history and culture of the province.

He said that Islamia College Peshawar was one of the parent institutions of the province to set foundation of higher education in. He said that the college was established in 1913 and became a university. It was parent institution of many schools and colleges, he said. `In fact Islamia College is still serving as mother of all institutions in this region,` he added.

Mr Khattak announced an academic block, a library, hall and hostel for Islamia Girls College, a new hostel for Islamia Boys College, an ambulance for Islamia Collegiate School and an overhead bridge on the adjacent Jamrud Road for convenience of the students.

The chief minister assured his full support to ICU and its affiliated institutions on their needs and said that funds would never become a hurdle in achievement of academic objectives.

He said that that a `new Khyber Pakhtunkhwa` could not be built only through highways, bridges and high-rising buildings but it could be built through a system and strengthening of institutions that could deliver to the masses, especially the poor.

Mr Khattak said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa needed a system with inbuilt capacity to resolve issues of people without the support of influential. `We are endeavoring to give our people a transparent system based on supremacy of law, merit and justice so that our youth have maximum opportunities of demonstrating their talents and capabilities,` he added.

ICU Vice-chancellor Prof Ajmal Khan, Senior Alumni Association president and former governor retired Gen Ali Muhammad Jan Orakzai, vice president Mohammad Zaman, general secretary retired Col Jameel, brother of late Dr Lal Baha, and Alumni member Dr Mashooq Ali also spoke on the occasion. They lighted different aspects of the book.

The chief minister said that government removed double standard in educational system and made English language medium of instructions throughout the province. It would ensure same standard of education for everyone irrespective of their social and economic class. `Our youth will participate in a national spree and will be ready to face global challenges,` he added.

Mr Khattak said that they would not just erect structures in the province in the name of schools and colleges but would establish research and innovation-based educational institutions, having excellence in both science and technology and arts and heritage.

The chief minister along with Prof Ajal Khan and Ali Mohammad Jan Orakzal visited Isamla Girls College and its proposed sites for academic block and hostel. The principal of the college, Prof Zahir Shah, told the chief minister that the college was started in the abandoned dispensary with 59 students. `Now it has enrolled more than 250 students and that is precise reason that we need more classrooms and other spaces,` he said.