I had just joined University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, when ZAB, first Asian elected to Berkeley Council and a graduate from Oxford and Lincoln’s Inn, arrived at Lahore for a historic welcome after resignation as Foreign Minister, founded PPP on 30 November, 1967, at residence of Mubashar Hassan on Main Boulevard, Gulberg. He mesmerised and captured the hearts and minds of youth, awakened workers to demand their rights and restored honour and prestige of a nation devastated by humiliating surrender at Dacca.
ZAB laid down foundations of our sole credible defence by his resolve to acquire nuclear deterrence for Pakistan, brought together warring Muslim nations by holding Islamic Summit at Lahore on 22 February, 1975. It was during his tenure that Pakistan got its unanimously adopted 1973 Constitution, a document which Quaid wanted to be drafted immediately after partition so that the foundations of a modern democratic welfare state envisioned by the founding fathers could be achieved, which objective unfortunately fell victim to the greed of vested powers.
Bhutto believed in foreign policy of bilateralism with emphasis on national interests and a policy of non-interference in the affairs of other countries. He established Pakistan Steel Mills, Heavy Mechanical Complex, Taxila, Port Qasim Authority and Karachi Nuclear Power Plant. It was under his tenure that PIA was restored to profitability by appointing men of integrity and caliber like Rafique Saigol and Nur Khan. Under his tenure employment opportunities increased and recruitment was strictly on merit. He laid emphasis on development of human resources by promoting and subsidising education in sciences, economic and liberal arts, and provision of basic health to poor and deprived.
No comments:
Post a Comment