Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said Pakistan had been in a critical phase for the past 63 years and blamed politicians and the army for the country’s failure to achieve prosperity.
Addressing Government College University Students on Friday, he said the army indulged in politics, trampled the constitution and ruled Pakistan for 35 years. He asserted that military dictatorship was the primary reason for the country’s failure and accused dictators of dismembering Pakistan.
Referring to Kargil, he said a dictator had interfered in the industrial progress of this country and exposed Pakistan and India to a nuclear war. He grieved that a dictator had handed Siachin to the enemy. He added the time had come when people should realise their responsibilities and act in an honest and sincere manner. He said the country had turned into a beggar state.
The CM, however, ex expressed optimism that the country would overcome the crises if those at the helm showed the ‘will’ to do so. The CM stressed independent working and less dependence on foreign aid to help the currently escape the current crises. He said Pakistan was in dire straits and the Punjab government had decided denial of aid that was poisonous and hurts the country’s sovereignty. The CM suggested fair introspection and accountability of all segments, responsible for the country’s downturn, adding that they must fairly account before the people and the nation for their wrong doings. The CM said this was the only way forward.
He said the country’s institutions were weak and pointed that the Supreme Court was the only functional institution. He grieved that NAB, FIA, Parliament and civil institutions had not acted responsibly. He said democracy would not automatically fuel prosperity and stimulate work at industries. In addition, it would not immediately bring in judicious distribution of national resources.
Referring to China, the CM said it has no democracy yet it possessed the best close system. “The neighbouring country has been one of the most reliable friends of Pakistan and has stood by Pakistan in the wars of 1965 and 1971. It stood by Pakistan when the catastrophic flood caused havoc in the country, he said.
The CM said Pakistan has become a country seeking aid from the US. “This aid comes with conditions and seriously threats Pakistan’s sovereignty. It had led to killings of innocent people,” he said. He agreed the Al-Qaida had taken lives of innocent people but said that drones have also killed guiltless people. He lamented that the current Pakistan was not what Quaid-e-Azam had dreamt. “Had we not spared corrupt politicians, judges, generals, policemen and all those who had some role to play with the destiny of this country, the country would have been in a much better shape,” he maintained.
The CM said the current education policy would not help economic progression and would not generate employment opportunities. He said the government should, instead, have focused on vocational and technical education in the budget. In response to a query regarding the Daanish Schools Project, the chief minister said the project had started around two years ago and was meant for poor students. He said children of the rich could afford education in prestigious institutions such sas Government College, Aitchison College, NUST and LUMS but the poor should have an equal right to quality education.
