Punjab Governor calls India childish

Says across-the-board accountability is taking place for first time in Pakistan

LAHORE: “Pakistan has invited India for dialogue with utmost sincerity, but the latter’s behaviour is childish. By opening the Kartarpur Corridor, Pakistan has won the hearts of Sikhs across the world, from the Arabian Sea to the Atlantic Ocean, but India is reluctant to proceed on this matter.”

This was stated by Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar as he addressed 48th Staff Course of Pakistan Navy War College participants who visited the Governor House on Wednesday. Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar underlined that democracy could not be strengthened without the rule of law, eradication of corruption and across-the-board accountability. “Prime Minister Imran Khan has made it clear that corrupt people would not be forgiven,” he added.

He highlighted that across –the-board accountability was taking place for the first time in Pakistan’s history. “We have very clear viewpoint. Whether it is a governor, prime minister, chief minister or minister who is involved in corruption, he or she must be apprehended as per law. We are talking about accountability of all, not just politicians.”

Sarwar said Balochistan is the future of Pakistan. “The road to prosperity and a developed Pakistan goes through Balochistan. The Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government is taking numerous steps to develop the province.” He said his party has promised a separate province of South Punjab and the government is working on it with full zeal. In the near future, the South Punjab secretariat and South Punjab Public Service Commission will start working, he added.

About the Kashmir issue, the Punjab Governor said the Muslim Ummah should be on the same page over the matter. “It will help resolve all major issues, including Palestine and Kashmir. If Muslims are united, the cries of the incarcerated youth of Kashmir will not be limited to the valley of Kashmir and our Palestinian brothers will not be subjected of Jewish enslavement,” he maintained.

He said the government was working to revamp the colonial era’s educational system which promoted segregation and discrimination by dividing students into classes. “We are introducing the same curriculum for all. We are also strengthening the police force in Punjab based on the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa model.

Rear Admiral Naveed Rizvi was heading the delegation which included participants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Lybia, Malaysia, Oman, Myanmar and Saudi Arabia.

Answering a question, Sarwar said the government was in the process of replacing the culture of approach with a culture of merit. “It is working to make institutions independent and autonomous.” He also paid tribute to the armed forces, saying Pakistan had made unprecedented sacrifices in the war on terror. “Our security forces are our pride. We will not let terrorists to succeed in Pakistan,” he concluded.