Deputy Chairman of the Board of Governors of Minhaj University Lahore and President of Minhaj-ul-Quran International, Professor Dr. Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, spoke at the foundation-stone ceremony of Minhaj University Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in D.I. Khan
A large number of distinguished personalities participated in the ceremony, including Chairman New D.I. Khan City Jahangir Saifullah Khan, Secretary General Minhaj-ul-Quran International Khurram Nawaz Gandapur, Vice Chancellor Minhaj University Lahore Professor Dr. Sajid Mahmood Shahzad, Deputy Nazimeen-e-Aala Dr. Muhammad Rafiq Najam, Chaudhry Irfan Yousaf, Professor Dr. Khurram Shehzad, Faisal Hussain Mashhadi (MD Minhaj Welfare Foundation), Raja Zahid Mahmood Qadri, Engineer Sanaullah Khan, Danish Iftikhar, Shakeel Khan, and Khaleeq Shah.
Addressing the ceremony, Professor Dr. Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri said that by the grace and blessing of Allah Almighty, today they are laying the foundation of Minhaj University in New City D.I. Khan—made possible through the efforts of Chairman Jahangir Saifullah. He congratulated the people of D.I. Khan, saying that today marks a significant day for the future of the region. This project will shape the destiny of the local population and this society will soon become the heart of the entire division.
He stated that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa currently has 26 public-sector universities and 11 private-sector universities, in a province with a population of 11 million young people. This clearly reflects the need and importance of universities in the province. The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also deserve access to modern educational institutions like those found in other major cities of Pakistan. Considering these factors, governments alone cannot bridge this educational gap; the private sector must also play its role.
Prof. Dr. Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri said that according to international research, one university is required for every 120,000 adults living in a region. Keeping this need in view, Minhaj University is being established here. The role of universities is not merely to provide degrees; character-building is an essential aspect of education. Violence, injustice, and extremism cannot be eradicated until young people are given character development along with education. Training instills humanity, mutual cooperation, and a sense of responsibility among youth. Unfortunately, many institutions today are unaware of this essential aspect, whereas according to Qur’anic teachings, true education is that which is accompanied by moral training. Around the world—including in engineering, medicine, and other professional fields—ethics is now a required subject.
He further said that in 1980 Shaykh-ul-Islam Professor Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri founded this movement on the principles of education and character-building. Shaykh-ul-Islam said, “I will give this nation 100 Aligarh universities” that, in the light of the aspirations of Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam, will contribute to the progress of the nation. Today, when people observe members of Minhaj-ul-Quran, they are compelled to praise them because Minhaj workers are trained individuals serving the country.
He added that institutions of Minhaj-ul-Quran provide education filled with peace, tolerance, interfaith harmony, and the ethics of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Minhaj University Lahore provides spiritual awareness to its students, aiming to instill a strong sense of responsibility in the youth. The university houses Asia’s first robotic library, possesses UN membership, and collaborates with various national and international organizations. Based on these same principles of training and development, the foundation of Minhaj University in D.I. Khan is being laid today, on November 8.
Professor Dr. Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri expressed great happiness that a university is being established in a region where people have deep love for Shaykh-ul-Islam. Now, instead of going to Lahore, the people of this region will have educational opportunities at their doorstep. He urged the local community to consider this project their own and play a full part in its completion and success. He prayed that this institution would help transform the destiny of the region and produce great personalities for the country.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman New City D.I. Khan Jahangir Saifullah Khan said that Minhaj-ul-Quran International is truly fulfilling the responsibility of intellectual and academic training of the nation. He added that it is a matter of great fortune for the local population to gain access to a prestigious institution like Minhaj University. A detailed discussion was also held regarding the need and importance of various social and educational projects in Paharpur.
At the end, Chairman Jahangir Saifullah Khan presented the traditional Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lungi as a gift to Professor Dr. Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, Deputy Chairman Board of Governors Minhaj University Lahore and President Minhaj-ul-Quran International.
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