PM Shehbaz calls for merit based selection for China’s agri training and instructed the creation of committee to address student grievances.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for a fair and merit-based approach in selecting students for advanced agricultural training in China, emphasizing the importance of transparency and equal opportunities.
During a meeting, the Prime Minister instructed the creation of a committee to handle any grievances from candidates who might not meet the eligibility criteria. He stressed the need for credibility in the selection process to ensure public trust in the program.
The Prime Minister acknowledged Pakistan’s longstanding friendship with China and praised its agricultural advancements. During his recent trip to China, he personally requested training opportunities for Pakistani students in modern agricultural practices.
He revealed that the Government of Pakistan would fully sponsor the program, with the first group of students expected to depart for China soon. A 10% quota has been reserved for students from Balochistan to ensure representation.
Prime Minister Sharif expressed gratitude to the Chinese government and universities for their collaboration and emphasized that this training initiative would play a crucial role in modernizing Pakistan’s agriculture sector and addressing food security issues.
Officials reported that 1,287 students applied for the program through an online portal, with 711 meeting the eligibility criteria, including candidates from Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The training program will be implemented in two phases: the first batch of 300 students will leave in March for hands-on training in techniques like irrigation improvement and veterinary disease management. The second batch of 400 students will depart mid-year to learn about agricultural machinery, crop growth technologies, AI in agriculture, and fruit and vegetable processing.
Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Tanveer Hussain, and Ahad Khan Cheema, along with senior officials from the Higher Education Commission, participated in the meeting.
This initiative aims to equip Pakistani students with world-class agricultural knowledge, enhancing the country’s ability to address agricultural challenges and improve food security through innovative methods.
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