Karachi (Bureau Report):
Federal Minister for Education and MQM-Pakistan Chairman Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has urged students to actively pursue knowledge rather than wait passively for opportunities.
Speaking at the annual convocation of Nazir Hussain University, he said, “Those who wait for their turn often never get it.” He emphasized that their ancestors had navigated through storms and challenges, and that overcoming oppression and injustice had brought them to where they are today. He hoped that students had gained real knowledge, not just degrees.
Dr. Siddiqui noted that in the next 25 years, the world will change rapidly, with over a billion people potentially becoming irrelevant. He cited neighboring countries as examples, showing that population is an asset, not a liability.
He added that students’ success reflects their parents’ achievements as well. Highlighting Pakistan’s historical journey, he said that the country was not an end in itself but a means to a purpose, referencing the March 23, 1940 resolution and the creation of Pakistan seven years later.
The minister also stressed the importance of skills along with industry, warned about the risks of enslavement due to AI, and cited Nelson Mandela as an example of mental freedom despite decades in prison. He encouraged youth to represent Pakistan globally and emphasized that knowledge is the lost heritage of a true believer.
Dr. Siddiqui concluded by saying that the next 10 to 20 years are crucial for Pakistan. He reminded students of the legacy of dreamers like Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, whose vision of education led to the creation of Pakistan, and urged them to protect the nation.