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'Youth should unite against extremism'
ISLAMABAD, Aug 13: The country's youth should
unite to spread the message of peace and root out extremism from the society,
said Federal Women's Development and Youth Affairs Minister Sumaira Malik at the
National Youth Awards to mark the International Youth Day here on
Sunday.
She said Pakistani youths were no less than the youth of any
other country in their potential and capabilities, but there was a need of
policies that could help use their capabilities. "The role of youth in the
development of any country cannot be denied and that is why the minimum age
limit for voters has been reduced to 18 years to enable the youth to participate
in voting," she said, adding, "The government is aware of the problems being
faced by the youth.
The president's Employment Scheme and National
Internship Programme have been launched to facilitate them." The said the award
holders would be taken to China to witness the Chinese youth's contribution to
their country's progress. As many as 15 students have been awarded for
outstanding performance in the fields of culture, sports, community services,
education, science and technology and literature. They were awarded shields,
certificates and cash prizes of Rs 50,000 each. Muhammad Ashraf Heera from
Punjab and Shafaq Shamim from NWFP were awarded for their extraordinary
performance in culture.
Heera is a calligrapher and has won awards in
calligraphy competitions in Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Shamim is a sculptor
and the Turkish chief of army staff has awarded him a gold medal on her project
titled 'Nature teaches more than she preaches'. Nauman Karim, SAF Games 2006
gold medallist in boxing, has won 18 gold medals in international and national
boxing competitions. Daily times
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