KARACHI: The University of Karachi on Tuesday organised a special event to celebrate the diamond jubilee of the Independence Day of Pakistan.

The KU students` adviser office arranged the central programme which was held on the lawn of the new administration building while a number of departments also arranged events on this occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, KU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi said: `During the past 75 years, we have gained a lot from the motherland, but did not return anything to the country.

`If we compare ourselves with other nations, we can realise that we are way behind them as we did not focus on education and failed to establish a research and development culture,` he observed.

He said: `Our beloved country has a lot of resources that are good enough for Pakistan`s development. We just need trustworthy leadership so that it can do justice to the masses and provide basic f acilities to them.He mentioned that Pakistan`s majority was comprised of youngsters who were around 65 per cent of the total population.

If the public and private sectors gave them a chance and guided them properly, they could work wonders for the country, he added.

On this occasion, the music society of the varsity released its new national song and also presented it during the celebration ceremony while the drama society presented a special play for the audience.

The arts and culture society arranged painting sessions for students.

Later, Prof Iraqi awarded medals to 168 students for achieving first positions in various national and international competitions, and distributed merit certificates among 162 students for performing volunteer duties on dif ferent occasions.

The KU`s registrar, deans of faculties, chairpersons of departments, employees, and students attended the main event.

L ater, the VC attended the programmes organised by the departments of public administration, computer science, and the faculty of pharmacy. -Staff Reporter