Proposed Seraiki bank: Prime Minister brushes aside Punjab chief minister's criticism

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday said that establishing a bank was a federal subject and provinces had no role in it. He was responding to query about Shahbaz Sharif's objection to setting up a Seraiki bank, Gilani said that establishment of a bank needed a thorough process, adding that Chinese banks had also opened many branches in Pakistan.
While talking to media after the 11th convocation of University of Central Punjab (UCP) here at Expo Centre Gilani said that it was necessary to evolve a consensus among all parties for the creation of Seraiki province. He also said that elected government of PPP had always taken decisions after evolving consensus among all the stakeholders.
To a question, he said the new (Seraiki) province could be given any name, citing, "Whatever name you give a flower but its fragrance remains the same." "We have legislated in parliament, made constitutional amendments and passed various bills and resolutions but with mutual consensus," he added.
The prime minister condemned recent terrorist attacks in Afghanistan and Bannu and paid tributes to army jawans and civilians trapped in an avalanche on Siachen glacier and prayed for their safe recovery. To a question about the possibility of a Pak-India agreement on withdrawal of troops to their respective sides of Siachen, the prime minister said that during his meetings with Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh, he had talked about resolving all issues, Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek, water and terrorism, through dialogue.
For the first time, in a joint media briefing, we (both prime ministers) had openly talked about all bilateral issues and their settlement through dialogue and peaceful means. Earlier, while addressing the convocation Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said that government was utilising all possible resources for education because a literate society guarantees the survival of the democratic system.
The prime minister said, "Educated societies, in the modern era, have predominantly endorsed the democratic form of government against any other. Education is not only a means for socio-economic development of any nation but it also plays a key role in reforming the individual and collective behaviour of people. Gilani said that at this critical juncture, we are faced with various challenges. Terrorism and law and order situations are the biggest challenges faced by our country.
"The leadership of the country needs to be given time and support to seek solutions to these longstanding issues. There are no magic solutions to years of neglect and poor management. But please note that I am not pessimistic. On the contrary, I see a bright silver lining to every dark cloud that stretches against the blue of our skies on the horizon," PM said.
Prime Minister congratulated Mian Amir Mahmood, Chairman Punjab Group of colleges who has played a key role in supplementing the academic institutional structure in the country. Starting with one Commerce College, Mian Amir has raised a chain of institutions that includes 2 chartered universities, 183 colleges, 350 allied schools. He has indeed proved to be a visionary and an exceptionally talented entrepreneur. In recognition of his services for the cause of education and philanthropy, the government of Pakistan has rightly conferred the Hilal-e-Imtiaz on Mian Amir.