News
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
PM seeks literati’s input on extremism, religious intolerance* PM assures literati of drawing up of national strategy based on their suggestions to cope with internal, external challenges
* Participants urge national leaders to stand up against challenges
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Monday acknowledging the positive contribution of the literati towards a tolerant society, assured drawing up of a national strategy, based on their suggestions, to cope with internal and external challenges.
Addressing a gathering of intellectuals, writers and poets at the launch of his new initiative – “PM in dialogue with nation” at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, Gilani said there was an urgent need to develop and pursue a vision that addresses the needs of changing times.
Under the dialogue, the prime minister will hold four interactive sessions with writers, artistes, vice chancellors of universities and media. The suggestions would be incorporated into the address of the PM to the nation on Pakistan Day.
The participants urged the national leadership to stand up to the challenges facing the nation and take bold decisions. The writers and intellectuals from all over the country spoke on the necessity of developing a national curriculum that inculcates amongst the young minds a love for the country and a spirit of nationalism.
The national writers spoke on the role of the media, which they said was now centred on “tickers” and “anchors” and stressed that it needs to take up its responsible role of building a society and creating hope. They also called for formulating a foreign policy based on national aspirations, without accepting any foreign pressures.
The prime minister said, Pakistan desires good ties with all countries without accepting the hegemony of any, on basis of mutual respect and interests. He recalled his meetings with Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Afghan President Hamid Karzai and said these led to improvement of bilateral ties.
Gilani said it owed to his interaction with the Indian PM, that following the recent bombings in Mumbai, there was no repeat of the blame-game of 2008 and the Indian government acted “maturely” and admitted its intelligence failure.
He said Zulfikar Ali Bhutto presented the 1973 Constitution when fissures were developing amongst the provinces and termed it an honour for his government to restore it to its original shape.
Gilani said had the provincial autonomy been given earlier, Pakistan would still have been united. He said the Pakistan People’s Party would protect the constitution and the country at all costs, whether it was in power or not. The prime minister acknowledged the role of President Asif Ali Zardari for handing over his powers to parliament in an unprecedented manner and correcting a historical wrong.
Gilani said his government had always accorded respect to the State institutions and restored the judiciary. He dismissed any clash of the institutions and said these were passing through an evolutionary phase, with some teething problems.
Gilani responding to the issue of the high prices of everyday items spoke of the several challenges the country was facing, including global recession.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk