TAXILA: Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has announced a major package of educational initiatives for Attock, including the upgradation of information technology (IT) laboratories in 110 schools at cost of Rs300 million, two new university campuses, five Pink buses for girls’ colleges and an international study tour to Turkiye for students.
He was addressing as a chief guest in a ceremony organised in honour of position-holder students in the matriculation examination in Attock on Friday, where certificates and laptops were distributed among high-achieving students.
The minister said the Punjab government had allocated Rs750 billion for the school education department to improve educational facilities, modernise institutions and provide students with skills relevant to the rapidly changing technological landscape.
He said the provincial government was developing an education system under which children from poor and deserving families would also have access to higher education opportunities.
At present, more than 50,000 female students across Punjab are studying IT at the matriculation level, which reflects the government’s commitment to promoting modern education.
Mr Hayat also announced the upgradation of IT labs in colleges across Attock district. He said that in the past, a few computers were being used by hundreds of students, whereas the situation had now improved significantly, with one computer being provided for every 10 students.
The minister said the IT laboratories in 110 schools across Attock would be equipped to introduce students to artificial intelligence, freelancing, data analysis, robotics and other emerging fields.
The IT laboratories in colleges across the district would also be upgraded, he added. He stated more than 50,000 female students across Punjab were currently studying IT at the matriculation level, describing the participation and performance of girls in education as particularly encouraging.
He said the provincial government was also installing solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems in schools to improve the learning environment and make educational institutions more sustainable.
He said more than 100,000 students had so far benefited from the Honhaar Scholarship Programme, enabling talented and deserving students to continue higher education.
The minister said that in a major announcement for higher education in the district, two university campuses would be established in Attock, which, he said, would enable local students to pursue higher education closer to home. He also announced that 10 of the district’s best-performing teachers would be sent to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah, while five Pink Buses would be provided for girls’ colleges in Attock to facilitate students’ mobility.
The ceremony was attended by MNA Sheikh Aftab Ahmed, MPA Malik Itibar Khan, Deputy Commissioner Attock Dr Mudassir Ahmed Shah, and officials from other government departments and members of civil society.
Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2026.
