Pakistan is not Taliban Empire': Taseer

Governor Punjab Salman Taseer has urged women to play their dynamic role in containing terrorism and extremism.

Addressing the first convocation of the Government College University (GCU) Faisalabad here Wednesday, he said that Pakistan is grappling with big challenges of extremism and terrorism.

Government is exploiting its resources to tackle these issues, however, women should also come forward and play their role in weeding out the sentiments leading to terrorism and extremism.

He said that girls' schools in northern areas are being closed and bombed while anti state activities are also rife in these parts of the country.

Education is imperative to foil their conspiracies against the solidarity and integrity of Pakistan; he said and added that government was making sincere efforts for the promotion of education.

Governor also quoted his meeting with US Representative Holbrook and said that he had made it clear that Pakistan was not Somalia or Sudan and could not be isolated from the rest of world. A sizable number of Pakistanis are playing their positive role in different countries.

Pakistani doctors in sufficient number are present in US while 5 % NASA engineers also belong to Pakistan. He termed Pakistan as a liberal, progressive Muslim democratic country and said that we are facing threats of terrorism and extremism. "God forbid, he said and added that any loss to Pakistan in this fight would have negative repercussion on international community", he added.

He said that Pakistan is a diverse, ethnic and linguistic identity and success of democracy in this part of world was imperative for the future of democracy and Pakistan.

Governor said that President Asif Ali Zardari was elected with a majority vote while Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Speaker National Assembly Fahmida Mirza were also elected unopposed. In spite of these facts, we decided to set up coalition governments to involve all political forces.

He said that future of Pakistan is directly linked with democracy. A new democratic culture cropped up immediately after martyrdom of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto on February 18, he added.

Governor said it was the miracle of democracy that participants of Tokyo conference decided to give record aid to Pakistan. Out of this pledged amount, maximum funds would be spent on education, development of infrastructure and social sectors.

He said that 70% population is comprised youth with less than 25 years. This youth is actually our present and future and they have to lead Pakistan during next 50 years.

"Pakistan is not Taliban Empire", he said and added that Islam is a religion of peace, love and tolerance. Suicide attackers should know that it is a liberal Islamic democracy and we would not allow handful extremists to spoil its Islamic and democratic fabric.

He said that it was an era of science and technology and we must concentrate on modern scientific subjects to compete with rest of the world and to facilitate our masses.

Taseer said that hundreds of youth is deprived of education in Pakistan. Hence, educated class being a privileged one should focus on others crumbling under the scourge of illiteracy.

Governor said that country was facing ticklish issues of extremism and terrorism and President Asif Ali Zardari has decided to remain part of the provincial coalition in order to face prevailing challenges.

He also assured that funds withheld by HEC would be released very soon.

Earlier, in his address of welcome Dr. Shahid Mehboob Rana Vice Chancellor GCU enumerated the achievements of the university and said that it was catering to the needs of 10,000 students belonging to various disciplines.

He said that in 2002, the University started with only 7 Master Level Programs but now it has been able to offer a wide range of basic and applied subjects and it is offering research-based M. Phil and PhD programs in thirteen and eight subjects respectively.

He also highlighted some of the significant achievement of the University which include establishment of 27 Departments in the areas of Science, Arts, Social Sciences, Law, Pharmacy and Engineering, strong linkages with renowned Industrial & Business Organizations, Research Institutions and Universities, financial incentives for University Teachers who publish their research works, procurement of instruments to facilitate research students and faculty member to carryout advance research in pure and applied sciences. He said that in field of Sports, the GCU athletes have secured top positions at national and international level.

Vice Chancellor stressed the need for special grant of Rs 100 million from Punjab Government for the construction of an Auditorium, Central Library and a Mini Sports Complex.

Later Governor awarded degrees to 2,980 graduates of 2003-2005 and 2004-2006 sessions.

Rana Muhammad Farooq Saeed Khan Federal Minister for Textile Industry, MPAs Dr. Asad Moazzam, Maj (Retd) Abdur Rehman Rana and Haji Liaqat Ali Nazar were also present on the occasion.