LAHORE: (Tuesday, September 5, 2023): The 360th meeting of Punjab University Senate was held under the chairmanship of Governor Punjab / Chancellor Punjab University Muhammad Balighur Rehman in Old Campus (Senate Hall) here on Tuesday. On this occasion, PU VC Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood, Registrar Dr Ahmad Islam and Senate members were present. The Senate approved budget recommendations the current fiscal year. Addressing the meeting, Governor Punjab Muhammad Balighur Rehman said that Pakistan’s bright future is in the hands of our youth and the role of teachers is important in grooming the new generation and nurturing positive thinking in them. He said that in 2013, the Higher Education Commission was allocated 34 billion rupees and this amount was gradually increased every year to 120 billion rupees by the PML-N government in the 2018-19 budget, which is a proof of the priority given by the PML-N government to education. He said that after 2018, the higher education budget was cut due to which the universities had to face problems. He said that when the coalition government came in 2022, there were many challenges and despite the country being at risk of default, the government increased funding for Higher Education Commission. He said that academia-industry linkages were necessary to promote the research culture and increase the financial resources of the universities. He said that Punjab University was our pride and its degree is recognized all over the world. He said that our students were very talented and should be guided on the path of positive thinking and goodness to eliminate hatred. He directed the universities to take steps to promote distance education. He said that former students of Punjab University were present all over the world and they should be recognized at university and department level. PU VC Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood said that despite increase in the salaries, the budget allocations for disbursement of salaries had not been increased to match the difference due to which difficulties are being faced in payment of salaries and pensions. He said that Punjab University was providing the cheapest and quality education in the region. He said that the ranking of the university had increased and many subjects had been included in international rankings. He said that several committees have been established to increase the sources of income of the university. He said that the PU was also facing severe financial pressure due to the temporary suspension of the affiliation process of the colleges. The meeting after deliberations approved all the agenda items.