Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. — Photo by AP

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Wednesday said education was the key to national progress, prosperity and would protect the youth from falling into the hands of terrorists and extremists.

Talking to President of Jaffer Foundation Abdul Kader Jaffer and Masood Sohail here at the PM House, Gilani said his ancestors have set-up a number of educational institutions in southern Punjab and he would live up to his family legacy.

He urged all well-to-do people of the society to invest in this vital sector for the future of Pakistan.

The Prime Minister said education was a priority of his government and budgetary allocations had been enhanced to improve the literacy rate in the country.

He hoped that after devolution of the education ministry under the 18th Amendment and enhancement of provincial share in the national resources under the NFC Award, the provinces would also accord high priority to education.

He appreciated the efforts of Jaffer Foundation for establishing a modern boarding school at Hub near Karachi.

Abdul Kader Jaffer appreciated the Prime Minister for his special attention to education and apprised the Prime Minister of details of a boarding school project near Hub port.

He said it would be a modern international standard institution.