Telling it like it is

PM Gilani acknowledges that the nationalisation of educational institutions was a mistake.

GUJRAT: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Saturday acknowledged that the nationalisation of educational institutions was a mistake but promised to make amends for the same.

“We cannot move forward without admitting our mistakes,” the premier told a gathering at the death anniversary of Nawabzada Fazal Ali, the founder of Zamindar College in Gujrat on Saturday.

“We will have to call a spade a spade,” Gilani said, adding that the policies of any government could be wrong or right. But the wrongs of the past should be rectified, he said.

Moving to other problems faced by his embattled government, the premier said his team has to tackle several challenges, such as a worsening power crisis, spiralling poverty and a volatile security situation.

Gilani said the scourge of terrorism was adversely affecting the national economy, trade and foreign investment. “Together, we will have to counter this menace,” he said.

Listing priorities of his government, Gilani said the ruling PPP was committed to eliminating poverty and terrorism and restoring peace in the country for bringing economic prosperity.

On the political side, Gilani said his government would continue to pursue a policy of reconciliation with other political groups for the greater good of the country.  “Our manifestoes and ideologies can be divergent but we all are one for serving the nation,” he said.  He said that after the completion of poverty survey under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), the poor would be offered concessions in school fees, electricity and gas bills. They would also be provided with health and life insurances.

About the catastrophic floods, the prime minister said federal and provincial governments were prepared to help build homes for the hundreds of thousands of people affected by the deluge.

He pointed out that 20 million people were rendered homeless by the flood and Pakistan, the world’s fifth biggest producer of milk, has suffered huge livestock losses. However, he held out an assurance that the damaged infrastructure would be rebuilt on priority. Gilani said that budgetary priorities would be reordered in order to rehabilitate flood survivors.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31^st, 2010.