Lahore: Liberty Roundabout renamed to Shaheed Chowk

[Naveed Yaseen]

* Governor awards Governor’s Gallantry Medals to families of deceased
* Taseer lays emphasis on need for education at Aitchison College’s 123rd founders day

Staff Report

LAHORE: Governor Salmaan Taseer on Friday renamed the Liberty Roundabout to ‘Shaheed Chowk’ in light of the policemen who died in the 3/3 attack, saying the country would never forget the bravery of the policemen who guarded the Sri Lankan cricket team.

He was addressing the award distribution ceremony that was held in the honour of the martyrs at Governor’s House. He said the country was proud of the martyrs who retaliated against the attack and provided the cricket team an opportunity to escape from the scene. He said it was a unique example of bravery, as the policemen did not have the sophisticated weapons that the terrorists did.

He hailed the sacrifice of the elite force, which resisted the ambush and pushed the attackers to one side, eventually forcing them to escape. He said he regretted those who were trying to politicise the issue instead of appreciating the sacrifice.

Awards for martyrs:

The governor awarded the Governor’s Gallantry Medals to families of the martyrs, two drivers who drove the Sri Lankan team’s bus, and the match referee. He also awarded Rs two million in cash prizes for each of them excluding the drivers, who were each awarded Rs 500,000. Each of the injured were awarded Rs 300,000 in cash prizes.

The government will also bear all educational expenses of the children of all martyrs and their families would be awarded salaries with increment until the age of retirement.

AC founders’ day: In a separate incident, addressing the 123rd Founders Day of Aitchison College on Friday, the governor said an increase in the gross national product is inadequate for sustained development. He said it was important to increase the number of gross national minds. He said education was the key to success, as it expands the ability of humans and enables them to conduct research and development in a better way.

The governor hailed the services of Shamim Saifullah Khan and wished the college would expand its educational services under the supervision of new principal, Fakeer Syed Ijazuddin.

Kehan Hussain Manji and Ahsan Ijaz Saeed were awarded the Khawaja Altaf Hussain Hali Challenge Cup. Muhammad Imad Ameen and Irfan Zahid Siddiqui were awarded trophies. Hamza Aftab was awarded the Churchill Medal for best performance in two A-level subjects. Hamza secured the first position in the subject of Physics across the world. Aizan Malik was awarded a prize from the Cambridge University for securing A grades in nine A-level subjects.

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