Chief Minister of Punjab, Mian Shahbaz Sharif, visited CIIT Lahore on monday dated October 27, 2008. Chief Minister visited various sections of the institute including laboratories, architecture studios and on-line library. He inquired from the students about their academic activities and advised them to study with commitment and dedication. He also inaugurated the new block of Inter- Disciplinary Bio-Medical Materials. Faculty members were introduced to the Chief Minister while the students gave him a warm welcome. Rector COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Dr. S. M. Junaid Zaidi during his briefing to Chief Minister informed that the existing campus of the institute was set up in 2002 where 3282 students are studying in 217 different faculties. He informed that 1,711 students had so far graduated from the institute. He said that hundred percent students graduating from the institute get employment.
	He said that COMSATS Institute of Information Technology is among the leading institutions of the country whereas it has 5th position in the ranking of Higher Education Commission. He also apprised the Chief Minister of the future needs of the institute. He said that the institute has its campuses in different cities including Vehari, Sahiwal, Attock and Wah Cantt. He said that the institute has so far presented 230 research articles of international standard while there are 180 PhD doctors in the faculties of the institute.
He was responding to the queries of journalists after his visit to COMSATS Institute of Information Technology at Raiwind Road, on Monday. He said that COMSATS Institute of Information Technology is playing an important role in imparting quality education to the students. He said that the institute has been constructed on the land of Punjab government and it was set up primarily for vocational education of the children of workers.
	He said that 50 percent seats should be reserved for the children of workers in the institute so that poor people should have equal right over educational facilities in modern and prestigious educational institutions. He said that government will ensure quality education to the children of poor people and workers as well so that after graduating from premier educational institutions they could become useful citizens of the society and play their due role in national development. He said that upon allocation of quota of admission in the institute for workers, the Punjab government’s land would be transferred to the institute.

He said that the possibility of setting up a technical institute for the children of poor families and workers in the institute should also be considered and they should be imparted latest education in agriculture, health, computer, electrical, mechanical as well as other sectors. He also ordered constitution of a sub-committee to formulate practical recommendations in this regard. He said that more than 3,000 male and female students are studying at COMSATS Institute and acquiring latest knowledge in various fields which is a very positive sign. He also appreciated professional abilities of students of various departments.

The Chief Minister assured that the government will provide all out facilities to such prestigious institutions for the promotion of purposeful vocational education. The meeting was also participated by the Secretary Workers Welfare Board Shafqat Mehmood and Yousaf Kamal.