Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has charged new university graduates with a profound responsibility, urging them to wield their knowledge as a force for social justice and national progress rather than a mere instrument for personal enrichment.
Speaking as the chief guest at the 2025 Convocation of the Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) Sindh Chapter, held at the Bahria Auditorium, Karsaz, the Sindh chief minister reaffirmed that education is the singular route to achieving a balanced society and a robust state.
He described the ceremony not just as a distribution of degrees but as the culmination of a long intellectual journey defined by patience, hard work, and hope. The chief minister paid tribute to Pakistan Peoples Party founder, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, for conceiving an institution designed to transcend 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,’ Mr Shah stated.
He shared a historical anecdote, noting that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had enrolled in a short-term AIOU course during her first tenure as prime minister, an act he said illustrated that true leadership embodies a commitment to lifelong learning.
Congratulating the degree recipients, the chief minister declared their qualifications were receipts of success and a testament to their internal fortitude and sacrifices. He implored the students to see their education as a duty to advance tolerance and human dignity.
‘You must use your knowledge for the intellectual growth of society,’ he said, asserting that the Sindh government views education as a guarantee for the nation’s future and not simply an administrative matter.
The chief minister acknowledged the pivotal role of parents, recognising that their children’s accomplishments were rooted in their own silent sacrifices and financial forbearance.
He also commended the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Dr Nasir Mahmood, and the academic staff for their dedication to keeping the lamp of knowledge burning and ensuring education reaches every seeker despite numerous challenges.
Concluding his speech, Shah said that his administration was taking serious steps to expand opportunities for distance learning. He counselled the graduates to make honesty, humanity, and national service their hallmark in their professional careers.
The ceremony finished with the presentation of gold medals and degrees to successful candidates from across the province.