Recently, during an interview with PM Gilani, the host for CNN cited a Gallup poll which stated that due to the prevailing situation in Pakistan, 33 percent of the population wanted to leave the country.
To this, Prime Minster Gilani replied abruptly, “Why don’t they leave then?” While responding to such an important and critical question, he should have responded more sensibly and wisely. Educated people are upset about being in Pakistan, owing to the lack of professional opportunities and the spike in terrorism. Pakistan is facing the worst kind of brain drain. The reasons for people leaving Pakistan and those who have not but are prepared and willing to do so are myriad. Poverty, joblessness, lawlessness and the energy crisis are a few. Business, big and small, has been badly affected.
As the chief executive of the country, Mr Gilani should answer questions thrown at him, instead of shrugging off the matter as if he does not care. There is already a strong impression abroad that Pakistan is a country with a rich government and poor people. When asked this question, PM Gilani had the perfect opportunity to show his disappointment with regards to the situation in the country and tell the people what he and his government plan to do to rectify that. Instead, he chose to dismiss it in this manner. It speaks volumes about the governance record in his tenure and his sense of responsibility.
AREEBA REHMAN
Karachi