ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said that the Pakistan Armed Forces had taught India a lesson for attacking Pakistan in May. He was addressing a ceremony under the Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme at the University of Haripur.

Referring to an incident during his speech, the prime minister said he apologized after his gesture caused the microphone to switch off, adding that “this very punch was also that of the Pakistan Armed Forces, which taught the Modi government a lesson they will never forget in their lifetime.”

During the address available on the Pakistan government’s official X account, the prime minister announced the establishment of a Daanish School in Haripur, a separate campus for female students, and the construction of a bridge in response to a long-standing public demand.

He said that plots would be allotted strictly to those entitled to them and that a committee would be formed to ensure transparent decision-making.

Targeting growth

Prime Minister Sharif said Pakistan’s economy, which had been struggling, had, by the grace of Allah, emerged from crisis and was now stable at the macro level.

He said the next goal was to spur economic growth, adding that Pakistan would achieve its rightful place in the world, just as it had militarily.

He urged the nation to accept challenges collectively and move forward in unity.

The prime minister said he did not believe in receiving a guard of honor for himself, stating that the police guard of honor presented at the event was in recognition of the hard work and capability of the people.

He said fulfilling the responsibility entrusted to him by Allah would be his legacy.

Speaking about beneficiaries of the laptop scheme, Prime Minister Sharif said the recipients included sons of martyrs who had sacrificed their lives to protect millions of the nation’s children.

He said honoring martyrs was a national duty and warned that those who mocked or insulted them would neither earn respect in this world nor forgiveness from Allah.

He said the country faced challenges and that unity among the people would enable Pakistan to regain its lost global economic and social standing.

Students to be sent abroad

Highlighting the role of youth, the prime minister said Pakistan’s progress and prosperity depended on the younger generation.

He said that during his tenure as chief minister of Punjab, scholarships and laptops were provided to students across the country, not just in Punjab.

He announced that students from across Pakistan, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, would be sent on merit to Europe and China for advanced training in artificial intelligence.

‘Brave and courageous’

Prime Minister Sharif said that despite criticism of the laptop scheme, his conscience remained satisfied as 600,000 laptops were distributed transparently on merit.

He said students continued their education during the COVID period through these laptops and that many were now earning income and contributing to Pakistan’s exports.

The prime minister also paid tribute to the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, describing them as brave, and said their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism had helped restore peace in the country.

He said history would never forget their sacrifices.

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Prime Minister Sharif chides Indian counterpart for attacking Pakistan