Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to education, describing it as the only path to a balanced society and a strong state.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the 2025 Convocation of the Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) Sindh Chapter held at the Bahria Auditorium Karsaz on Sunday. Addressing a large gathering of graduates, faculty members and parents, the CM emphasised that the convocation was not merely a distribution of degrees but a celebration of a long intellectual journey fueled by patience, hard work and hope.
The CM paid rich tributes to the founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, for envisioning an institution that broke the barriers of time, distance and circumstances. “AIOU represents a vision where knowledge is a light that reaches the common man to transform the destiny of society,” Shah stated. “Today, that vision has grown into a massive tree providing shade to millions of learners across Pakistan.”
He shared an inspiring historical anecdote, noting that Benazir Bhutto, during her first tenure as the prime minister, had enrolled on a short-term course at the AIOU. This act, he said, symbolised that the secret of leadership lied in the lifelong process of learning.
Congratulating the graduates, the CM remarked that their degrees were ‘receipts of success’ and evidence of their internal strength and sacrifices. He urged the students not to view their education as a tool for personal gain alone but as a responsibility to promote social justice, tolerance and human dignity.
“You must use your knowledge for the intellectual growth of society,” he told the students. “Sindh government does not view education as a mere administrative matter; we see it as a guarantee for the nation’s future.”
In a moving segment of his speech, the CM turned his attention to the parents. He acknowledged that their children’s success was rooted in their silent sacrifices, often saving money for tuition at the expense of their own needs.
He also commended the AIOU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Nasir Mahmood and the faculty for keeping the `lamp of knowledge’ burning despite numerous challenges, ensuring that education reached the doorstep of every seeker.
The CM concluded the speech by stating that the Sindh government was taking serious steps to expand opportunities for distance learning and lifelong education. The ceremony concluded with the distribution of gold medals and degrees to successful candidates from across the province.
