DERA GHAZI KHAN: Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Monday announced two campuses and an Information Technology university in Dera Ghazi Khan to bring the deprived region, at par with the developed areas of the country.“I will practically ensure that the region witnesses a sea-change,” Gilani said while addressing at the inauguration of a regional campuses of the Allama Iqbal Open University and Bahauddin Zakria University.Prime Minister Gilani said the setting up of IT University in DG Khan would provide opportunity for the local youth to get modern education in their area.He also announced Rs 50 million in two installments for a girls hostel, four buses for students and another AIOU campus in Bhawalpur.Gilani said with the appointment of new Governor Punjab Latif Khosa, things are definitely going to improve.He said Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto has the credit of laying the foundations of the AIOU and the Bahauddin Zakria University.He said the people of the area have rendered numerous sacrifices for the country and played a major role in development and progress of Pakistan.
Gilani recalled that 56 years back his father in his capacity as a Minister laid the foundation stone of Nishtar hospital. He said his great grandfather Makhdoom Rajan Baksh Gilani contested election from this area and was member of the Indian assembly till his death.He recalled that no one used to contest against him and remaned a parliamentarian from 1921. He said he has a long linkage with the people of the area and is concerned about it development.He said his father and other senior members of the family had played a key role in bringing health, education and other basic facilities of life to the people of this remote area.Gilani said his policy of reconciliation was not a sign of weakness and said it was the policy of consensus that was helping in taking the country forward.Regarding the blasphemy law he said he himself was a descendent of Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) and could not even think of any change in the law.
“We do not intend to bring any change in this law,” Gilani categorically said and made it clear that no committee in the parliament had been formed to discuss this issue. He said however his party had set up a committee within to review the bill if a Senator or member National Assembly wants to move a bill in the House.
Gilani however made it clear that “there should be no misuse of any law.”“No change in the [blasphemy] law has either been contemplated, nor was being made,” he said.The Prime Minister said there was lawlessness and several other challenges the country was facing and there was no time to divert attention to other issues.Prime Minister Gilani said the coalition government was the first, that does not believe in a policy of confrontation and vengeance, there are no political prisoners, no journalists in country’s jails, he added.He said Central Punjab had been left far behind in progress and development and assured that time has come when it would be brought at par with the rest of the country.Gilani announced also announced a piece of land for the Bahauddin University, but declined to give the forest land as it was against the government’s policy.Gilani directed Governor Punjab Latif Khosa to ensure that new development projects are identified and assured that the federal government would provide all necessary funds for the progress of the area.Governor Punjab Latif Khosa and State Minister for Economic Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar were also present – APP
