Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday emphasized his government’s dedication to higher education, digital empowerment, and youth development through pioneering initiatives such as the People’s Information Technology Programme (PITP).
The CM was addressing inauguration ceremony of newly constructed buildings at NED University and distribution of Chromebooks for top performers of Peoples information Technology Program (PTIP).
The event, held at NED University, was attended by Chairman of the Sindh Higher Education Commission Professor Dr. Tarique Rafi, Chairman CIEC Dr Sarosh Lodi, Chairman of IT Mr. Noor Ahmed Samoo, Secretary U&B Abbas Baloch, and Vice Chancellors from Mehran University, Sukkur IBA, and NED, alongside senior faculty, PITP teams, and students.
Shah proudly announced that Sindh has allocated a record Rs. 42 billion for public sector universities in the current financial year, the highest among all provinces, to support operational needs, research, infrastructure, and innovation.
The CM also inaugurated two major infrastructure projects at NED University: the new building for the Department of Food Engineering, equipped with advanced laboratories for Rs. 96.48 million, and the International Boys Hostel, which accommodates 112 students and was funded with Rs. 67.11 million.
Additionally, a dedicated Girls Hostel block for 52 female students, funded with Rs. 98.52 million, was recognised as a step towards promoting gender inclusivity in engineering and technical education.
PITP is a Model for Digital Inclusion Highlighting the success of the People’s Information Technology Programme (PITP) – carried out in partnership with NED University, Mehran University of Engineering & Technology (MUET), and Sukkur IBA – the Chief Minister revealed that 13,565 students trained under PITP-I exceeded targets. Of these, 4,353 graduates have secured employment, contributing Rs. 49 million in direct income to the provincial economy.
Murad Shah appreciated the notable female participation: 40% at Sukkur IBA, 36% at NED, and 33.6 per cent at MUET, with 62 per cent of MUET students coming from rural backgrounds, underscoring the programme’s inclusive approach.
The Chief Minister distributed 300 Google Chromebooks /laptops to the top-performing PITP students through a transparent and merit-based selection criterion. He stressed that the selection process was completely merit-based, transparent, and tailored for each institution.
The Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah praised the leadership of Vice Chancellors Dr Sarosh Lodi, Dr. Muhammad Tufail, Dr Tauha Hussain Ali, and Dr. Asif Shaikh, along with PITP focal persons and Tech Valley’s CEO, Umer Farooq.
He also recognised the tireless efforts of the Science and IT Department under Noor Ahmed Samoo, Dr Shahzeb Malik, and Mr. Athar Baloch.
“We are not just training students we are building a knowledge economy and enabling social mobility. PITP is a shining example of what public sector universities can achieve when trusted and empowered,” he stated.
The Chief Minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment to an inclusive, digitally empowered, and economically resilient Sindh, ensuring no student is left behind and no dream is too big to attain.
