PM says he is ready for accountability

Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf said on Saturday that he was ready to give account of the government’s spending in last five years, adding that soon “we will all be present before the public court”.

Speaking at the Government College, Hyderabad‚ he said that he had come to the institute after 47 years, reviving lots of old memories. He said that he would participate in the centennial celebrations of the college.

Recalling his memories of studying at the college‚ he said the institution had made great contributions in the education sector. He announced Rs 500 million for renovation and expansion of the college.

Ashraf said that for the first time in the country’s history, a democratic government was completing its five-year term. “It is a big achievement for the people of Pakistan,” he said.

“We executed an unprecedented number of revolutionary projects in the 65-year history of the country. We devolved powers to the provinces and gave them provincial autonomy. Similarly‚ the PPP government gave jobs to the jobless,” he said.

The PM said that those criticising the government on television had never seen poverty and neither visited a village. “They do not know the problems, and I want to tell them that they should not worry, because soon we would be in front of each other in the court of the people and it would be their prerogative to choose their representatives,” he said. He added that a strong democracy and parliament were imperative to find solution to multidimensional challenges faced by the country.

The PM said the whole nation should stand united to confront the challenges of terrorism‚ extremism‚ law and order and the energy crisis. He asked the students to reject hatred and promote the message of peace and brotherhood for the progress and prosperity of the country.

The ceremony was also attended by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, federal ministers Naveed Qamar and

Maula Baksh Chandio, and several other parliamentarians.