Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has said the government will formulate a comprehensive strategy in consultation with different segments of the society to steer the country out of current crises.
In his first sitting with intellectuals, writers and poets in
Islamabad here on Monday, under the government’s initiative of Prime
Minister in dialogue with the nation, he touched upon the internal and
external challenges faced by the country and the government’s steps to
overcome them.
He pointed out that terrorism and extremism have badly rocked the
country’s peace, tranquality and economy and there is a dire need to
fight the tendencies of intolerance and confrontation in the society.
In this regard, he said the writers and poets through their writings
can play a vital role to lit the candle of peace and brotherhood and
help counter the menace of extremism and terrorism. He said the present
government has given ownership to the war against terrorism and
launched successful military operations in Swat and Malakand with the
support of the people.
He also urged the writers and poets to take forward the
reconciliation policy of government and play their role in the progress
and prosperity of the country.
Acknowledging their struggle against dictatorial regimes, he
expressed the confidence that the poets and intellectuals through their
invaluable suggestions will help put the country on the right course.
He assured them that their inputs will be incorporated in his address
to the nation on the 14th of August and efforts will be made to
implement it.
Accentuating the major achievements of the present government, the
prime minister said that besides implementing its manifesto, eighty
percent of Charter of Democracy signed by PPP Chairperson Benazir
Bhutto and PML (N) Chief Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif have been
implemented. He said the despite lacking absolute majority in the
parliament, the government has introduced 103 constitutional amendments
unanimously.
He said credit also goes to the present government for restoring the
1973 constitution in its original shape irrespective of the
consideration who will be the major beneficiary of it. He said under
the 18th amendment provincial autonomy has been ensured which will help
strengthen the federation.
Dispelling the impression of clash among the institutions, Prime
Minister Gilani said the PPP government has strengthened the
institutions by reviving the constitution. Prime Minister Gilani said
that before taking the oath of office, he announced the release of
judges and later also reinstated the deposed judges of the superior
judiciary through a notification. He described the reinstatement of
judges as the dividend of democracy.
Referring to the recommendations of the poets and writers on the
promotion of education sector, the prime minister said that under the
eighteenth amendment the health and education sectors have been
devolved to the federating units. Nonetheless, the federal government
will continue to support the provinces on policy matters. He said that
a conference on Education to be attended by all the Chief Ministers
would soon be organized to formulate a policy for implementation at the
grass roots level.
On the prices of essential commodities, the prime minister said that
the government is providing daily used items at subsidized rates
through the utility stores while efforts are also being made to check
their prices in the open market as well.
About the situation in Karachi, the prime minister said that the
provincial capital is the economic hub of Pakistan and political
process has been initiated to control the situation there. He said it
is our collective responsibility to revive peace in Karachi and not to
politicize the issue.
Turning to relations with the outside world, the prime minister said
that Pakistan wants friendly relations with all its neighboring
countries including Afghanistan, India and Iran. He said that dialogue
with India and Afghanistan are moving in positive direction.
Prime Minister Gilani has said the purpose of Dialogue with writers
and poets is to have their point of view on national issues and to
frame new policy in line with their inputs.
He said it has not only affected our country but has inculcated economic damages.
He said there is lack of tolerance, to listen to others and to talk to each other.
He said we want that the poets and writers who have been writing and
promoting our values and tolerance in the society to be consulted on
the national challenges. He said you people are the architect of the
society and civilizations and projecting in their writings the justice.
Mr. Gilani asked them to help the government in its efforts of
dialogue and reconciliation and play their role in this regard. He said
Pakistan was created on a dream by Allama Mohammad Iqbal and realized
by Qaudi-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, because he said the poets create
life in a society.
The Prime Minister said this is why Shaheed Benazir Bhutto had been
persuading the people to study. Prime Minister said that our poets
including Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Habib Jalib or Ahmed Faraz fought a long
war against the dictatorship which could not be ignored.
He said the writers and poets are building a positive attitude among
the people and are guiding the people. The Prime Minister said life is
better then the menace of terrorism.
The Prime Minister said the outcome of their consultations would
bring improvement in our country and he wants their views should be
incorporated in his speech to be delivered on the 14th of next month.
He said this speech would reflect their decisions to bring important
changes in our society.
The Prime Minister is leading this Dialogue to make Pakistan a more
tolerant, progressive and cohesive society by bringing together
different perspectives in evolving a pluralistic approach for
resolution of issues and problems.
Speaking on the occasion, Information Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan
said that poets and writers are social engineers and social doctors and
their recommendations will help promote inter faith and religious
harmony in the society. He proposed that award for excellence should be
started to acknowledge the services of eminent writers and poets.
Taking part in the interactive session, poets, writers and
intellectuals appreciated the government for arranging such a dialogue
at such a high level, describing it as a new tradition.
They recommended the government to focus more on the education
sector particularly the science and technology to overcome the
challenges. They said that outdated syllabus should be revised in order
to produce true and patriotic Pakistanis.
Appreciating government’s initiatives in different fields, they said
special focus should also be given for the resolution of problems faced
by the common man including price hike and electricity shortages.
They said the government should follow the vision and philosophy of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto to overcome all the challenges. SANA
