Ground-breaking of Baba Guru Nanak University: PM says 'won't give NRO till my last breath'

Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Monday that the government is making strides on economic front - a fact has also been endorsed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

As per the recent World Bank report, Pakistan is among the top 10 improvers in doing business index, the premier said while addressing the ground-breaking ceremony of Baba Guru Nanak University.

Holding the governments of PML-N and PPP responsible for country's current economic woes, he said that the country's debt touched a whopping Rs 30,000 billion from Rs 6,000 billion due to money laundering by public office-holders through Aqama (resident permit) of foreign countries. "Now as noose is being tightened around their necks, they have started using the tactics of blackmailing and pressure," Imran said.

The premier expressed confidence that the country would make headway as the PTI government had put it on right track and also mentioned expansion in tax net after traders agreed to pay fixed-rate tax.

Imran Khan said, "Azadi March has no genuine objective but to cover the wrongdoings of top corrupt whose tenures in government were all about looting and signing charter of democracy." He said, "Mark my words, whatever united effort they make through the march, I will not give them NRO (deal) till my last breath."

The prime minister said: "It was like his prediction came true when he stated on assumption of his office that all corrupt people in the country would ultimately get united at a single platform against me. The march is taking place, not because the government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is failing, but in fact it is succeeding."

About illness of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, he said federal and provincial governments were providing him the best possible medical care including advice of consultants from Karachi and Shaukat Khanum Hospital. "We can try our level best," he said, adding, "I cannot even guarantee my own life, how can I give assurance about the life of any other person."

The PM said abolishing socio-economic class system in the country was one of the pillars of the state of Madina which ensured that elite offender met the same fate as the poor ones. The PM said previous civilizations were destroyed because they saved the powerful people on committing crime and gave punishment to the weak. "All are equal before the law and we want the privileged class in the country to also be answerable before the same law," he said.

The prime minister said the countries in the world that upheld the rule of law, experienced progress and development.

Terming the ground-breaking for the construction of an international level university in Nankana Sahib on the occasion of 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak as a symbolic step, the premier said history showed that no country or society could progress without giving priority to education. "We used to be ahead of other nations in education, but it is unfortunate that previous governments did not give due priority to education and left us behind," he added.

He directed the Chief Minister Punjab to utilize all "Auqaf" land at various shrines like Baba Farid Shakar Ganj in Pakpattan for the construction of universities, educational institutes and hospitals for the benefit of local populace.

Interior Minister Brig Ijaz Ahmed Shah (retd) in his remarks said a longstanding demand of people of area for establishment of a university has been fulfilled after 13 years since approval was given in 2005 when the area was upgraded to the level of a district. He said Punjabi and Khalsa languages would also be taught at the university.

Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar is his address opined that the establishment of Baba Guru Nanak University is of vital importance and added that the Kartarpur Corridor accord has been signed and the historic corridor would be inaugurated soon.

Giving details of the Guru Nanak University project, he said Rs 6 billion will be spent on the construction of university which will be completed in three phases. The establishment of this university will not only benefit the local people but the members of Sikh community from across the globe will also study in this institution.

The chief minister said that the Punjab government has decided to set up eight universities and five institutes in the province during one year. Classes have already started in some of the institutions while work is in progress in other institutions, he said. He announced that the University of North Punjab will be set up in Chakwal while the University of South Punjab will be established in Layyah district. Similarly, the University of Mianwali, Thal University (Bhakar), Kohisar University (Murree), Women University Rawalpindi and University of Taunsa will also be established by the government. He added that the Punjab University of Technology will be established in Rasul area of Mandi Bahauddin besides the construction of Mir Chakar Khan Rind University of Technology in DG Khan. Punjab-Tianjin University of Technology and Punjab University of Technology will also be set up in Lahore and Rawalpindi respectively, he added.

Governor Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar, Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mehmood and Special Assistant to PM for Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan were also present on the occasion.

Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the foundation-stone of Baba Guru Nanak University to be constructed at an area of 107 acres in Nankana Sahib.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019