Balochistan’s Youth Destination Is Education, Peace and Prosperity; Leave the Kalashnikov and Pick Up the Pen and Book: Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rahman Baloch
QUETTA – Jamaat-e-Islami Balochistan Ameer and Provincial Assembly member Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rahman Baloch has said that “we want such a just system in Pakistan in which every citizen has equal opportunities for rights, justice, and education.” People had made sacrifices for the creation of Pakistan in the hope of establishing justice and an Islamic system. “Our struggle is for the establishment of such an Islamic welfare society where no child is deprived of education, the people of health facilities, and the youth of employment, and where children of poor families also get equal opportunities to move forward.”
He expressed these views while addressing a “Education for All” ceremony organized by Al-Khidmat Foundation. A large number of women, students, and orphan children studying in various institutions under Al-Khidmat Foundation and Jamaat-e-Islami participated in the ceremony. Prizes were also distributed among children, students, and teachers who demonstrated excellent performance.
Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rahman Baloch further said that the destination of Balochistan’s children is not the mountains, nor illiteracy, unemployment, or unrest, but education, development, prosperity, and peace and justice. “Youth should leave the Kalashnikov and waywardness, pick up the pen and book, acquire education, and join the journey of development. If there were true justice and a system based on Islamic principles in the country, no young person would have had to turn to the mountains out of despair. We want the path of oppression and injustice in parliament and markets to be stopped and opportunities for education, employment, and development to be provided to the youth.”
He said Jamaat-e-Islami in Balochistan is the party of the poor masses, and “we believe not in mere emotional speeches but in practical service.” “Our effort is to gather resources and provide opportunities for children deprived of education to move forward. Al-Khidmat Foundation has been playing a prominent role in the field of public service since the creation of Pakistan. We want to establish such a society where the state fulfills its responsibilities and no poor child has to depend on welfare organizations for education, treatment, and basic needs.”
The Jamaat-e-Islami Balochistan Ameer invited political leaders and wealthy individuals to come forward to serve humanity. “Competition should be over who serves more people. The philanthropists of Balochistan should help their poor brothers, orphan children, and deserving families and play their role in establishing educational and health institutions. The food of the rulers’ dogs comes from London, while the poor children of Balochistan do not even have shoes on their feet. This situation is a moment of reflection for our rulers and society.”
He announced that next month, under the “Parhta Barhta Balochistan” (Reading and Growing Balochistan) campaign, they will move forward with the goal of establishing 500 schools. “Providing education to Balochistan’s children is our first priority. Al-Khidmat Foundation is currently providing education to 15,000 boys and girls, while work is also ongoing on various projects in other districts, including the construction of a hospital in Jaffarabad and an Aghosh Center in Lasbela.”
He said the cooperation of all segments of society is needed to change the province’s destiny and establish a system based on justice. Addressing the ceremony, Deputy Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Balochistan and Al-Hamd University Chairman Dr. Shakeel Roshan, Professor Abid Maqsood of Tanzeem-e-Nau Trust, and Al-Khidmat Foundation Balochistan President Abdul Majeed Sarbazi said that Al-Khidmat Foundation is a cool breeze for society and is performing prominent services across the country in various fields including education. They said the solution to Balochistan’s problems is education, and sincere educational and social services are a guarantee of social development. They urged the youth and women to understand the requirements of modern technology including artificial intelligence (AI), enhance their capabilities, and play a role in the development of the country and province.
Addressing the ceremony, former Balochistan government secretary Abdul Fatah Bhangar said development of any society is not possible without education. The government is focusing on the education sector within available resources, however, along with government efforts, the cooperation of welfare organizations, philanthropists, and all segments of society is also indispensable for educational development.
Addressing the ceremony, Al-Khidmat Foundation Education Director Qazi Abdul Rahman said 13 child protection centers of Al-Khidmat are operating in Balochistan, where approximately 600 students are being provided education. Seven of these centers are located in Quetta, where a large number of poor and orphan children are studying. Al-Khidmat Foundation is also providing scholarships to more than 100 students in universities so that deserving students can obtain higher education.
