On a usual hot summer day while I was in a usual state of a Medical student’s mind, cursing my books for being so boring, I heard my phone ring and I came to acknowledge that I had been added to Voice of Balochistan organizing team from Quetta. I was tasked to accompany a delegation of 173 students from Balochistan on an educational exposure tour to Peshawar and Islamabad under the Youth Mobilization Campaign. Belonging to Balochistan, I have had less chances to travel to KPK myself and indeed this news was overwhelming.
In this small piece of writing I shall highlight the main events that took place and activities that the students performed during the tour.
PESHAWAR:
DAY 1:
On 25 Sept’16 at around 10 am the delegation that included students from University of Balochistan (Quetta), Al-Hamd Islamic University (Quetta), BUITEMS (Quetta), SBK Women’s University (Quetta), University of Water and Marine Sciences (Lasbela), University of Turbat (Turbat), University of Khuzdar (Khuzdar) and FC College (Noshki); flew from Samungli Airbase, Quetta to Nur Khan Airbase, Peshawar. The most exciting part of this 1.5 -hour flight was the thrill of seeing and travelling in Pakistan Air force’s aircraft, C130. Indeed, it was an unforgettable flight for every student in the delegation who had never experienced a C130 before.
The delegation reached Peshawar with smiles on their faces and checked into their pre-booked hotel. They rested for a while after which the delegation visited Fun Land Park, Peshawar. An hour or two with friends in an electronic rides park is always a good spot to make fun memories. The delegation then headed over to Peshawar services club for a Peshawari special dinner and went back to hotel to pump up their energies for a long day ahead.
DAY 2:
8.00 am was the deadline to get in the buses and leave. Institute of Management Sciences Peshawar was ready to host the delegation. We reached IMS Peshawar by 9.00 am where their faculty members were eager to display their institute to the students of Balochistan. A campus tour of IMS headed by
Dean IMS and Director IMS was taken after which an in-hall orientation of IMS was given to the students. IMS happens to be one of the best institutes of Management Sciences in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and stands among first 5 in HEC ranking in Business Schools. Students interacted with IMS students and faculty during the visit which added to their exposure.
The next stop was the 104 years old, historical Islamia College University Peshawar, The building on the current thousand rupees Pakistani currency note. As an institute and as a historic site, this place was a beauty to see. From its disciplined students to their intellectual facility and from open gardens to its century old designed buildings, Islamia college was the best place to see in Peshwar. Students had enough time to interact with students of Islamia college and their faculty which was a learning within itself.
Next up to visit was the Balahisaar Fort of Peshawar which is an astounding 2000 years old fort in the middle of the city which currently serves as the FC headquarter of KPK. Respected FC personal greeted the students into the fort, hosted a lunch for them after which the delegation was given a round of the fort. History of the fort was discussed with students making them aware of the importance of the fort in Peshawar.
Later that night, CM KPK Mr. Parvaiz Khattak hosted a dinner for the delegation in the CM’s secretariat Peshawar. Before the dinner a 1 hour long interactive session took place where the students got the opportunity to question CM KPK directly and ask about their concerns and queries.
ISLAMABAD:
DAY 3:
At 6 in morning the buses were directed towards Raisalpur – ‘The homes of Eagles’. Pakistan Air Force academy- Asghar Khan was where the delegation was taken next. Students observed the full-dress rehearsal of the Passing out Parade that was to be held a week later. The 2-hour long parade showcased the cadets’ strengths and discipline. Students were delighted to see the airshow held by PAF Sherdil Pilots which is observed every year on the passing out parade as a farewell to the graduating cadets.
After the show ended the students interacted with PAF Cadets and officers which was a life time experience for many. Female cadets were also present during the interaction.
The delegation then moved to Islamabad via the Motorway and were lodged in Youth Hostel Islamabad.
The next interaction visit and dinner for the students was at Higher Education Commission Office Islamabad hosted by the Chairman HEC, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed before which the students also got to spend time at Centaurus Mall Islamabad.
DAY 4:
Final day of the tour started with a visit to National University of Science and Technology NUST Islamabad. On reaching NUST campus, students were greeted by director SEECS NUST and an orientation session was held for the students. NUST Schools; ASAB and SCME were demonstrated to the students with a focus on their up to date laboratories.
The students then advanced to Pakistan Army Museum and were given a guided tour of every gallery of the Museum. It is one of the best displayed museums that one can find in Pakistan.
With patriotic sentiments the delegation was loaded in the buses ready to meet Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa at ISPR HQ Rawalpindi. This interactive session was a cherry on cake for the students since not everyone is lucky enough to meet the COAS so closely. Students had a 2-hour long question and answer session with COAS and DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor who were both extremely happy to have students from Balochistan over to their workplace.
This 4-day long exposure tour ended with a fun filled Cultural night at COMSATS Islamabad with blooming colors of almost every culture of Pakistan in a single audience. Students at COMSATS and their faculty were obliged to have the delegation in their institute which was visible by the efforts they had made to make the night a memorable one.
DAY 5:
All students left back for Quetta from PAF Airbase Islamabad with unforgettable memories to cherish and lifelong experiences to share.
