The Government College University Lahore conferred its Lifetime Achievement Award upon former international cricketer, commentator, and chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Ramiz Raja, at a ceremony on Tuesday at the University’s Bukhari Auditorium. 

The award recognizes alumni who have made outstanding contributions in their field and is one of the highest honours GCU bestows. The award was originally announced for Raja and nine other alumni at the university's 20th Convocation in November, but he was unable to attend the convocation due to a trip abroad.

During the ceremony on Tuesday, the Vice-Chancellor of GCU, Prof. Dr Asghar Zaidi, presented the prestigious award to Raja, who spoke about his experiences in cricket and shared personal anecdotes of his college days.

Raja expressed gratitude towards GCU for recognizing him with this prestigious award and called it a great honor. 

Vice Chancellor, Prof. Asghar Zaidi, commended Ramiz Raja for his outstanding contributions to the field of cricket. He believed that recognizing and honoring the achievements of alumni can help inspire current students and encourage them to strive for excellence in their own pursuits.

“It shows that the university values the accomplishments of its graduates and wants to celebrate their successes,” the Vice Chancellor said.

Prof. Zaidi revealed the plans for Rs. 400 million project to construct a specialized hostel for elite athletes at GCU Lahore. The hostel will feature state-of-the-art amenities such as accommodation, training facilities and recreational areas, providing the athletes with a comprehensive environment to excel in their sports.

Speaking on the occasion, Ramiz Raja highlighted the importance of education in finding the right path in life and emphasized that education helped him stay away from match-fixing.

“Don't let technology consume you. Make time for sports and physical activity, it will pay off in the long run. It would be an injustice to this magnificent campus if you neglect sports while studying here at the Government College Lahore,” he said 

Raja spoke out against the change of Pakistan Cricket Board's constitution, stating that "talent is wasted when excellence and continuity are blocked."

When asked by a student about his plans for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should he be given the opportunity to lead again, Raja responded by highlighting his commitment to the welfare of cricketers. He stated that he intends to establish a cricket foundation that will support and develop young talent, and will make Pakistan a top-performing team in the world of Test cricket.

Raja represented Pakistan in three Cricket World Cups, played a total of 57 Tests and 198 One Day Internationals, and served as chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board. He has gained a reputation as a commentator for his expert analysis of the game.