SWABI: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday reiterated that the ‘corrupt’ opposition leaders won’t get NRO-like amnesty.

“My government will not extend the NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance-like deal) to anyone as if we do so, we will compromise our vision. I have never compromised my vision in my life,” he told a function at the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology here.

The prime minister claimed that leaders of the opposition parties had demanded NRO-like amnesty. He, however, didn’t name names.

He said Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah had fought against odds despite knowing that he won’t live for a long time due to illness.

“It was Quaid-i-Azam’s vision, which enabled him to fight for the rights of Muslims and established Pakistan. Our founding father had read the Hindu ideology and came to conclusion that the Indian National Congress was striving to establish a Hindu state and was bent on subjugating Muslims,” he said.

Says economic crisis will be over soon

The premier said African leader Nelson Mandela remained in jail for 27 years but he fought for his mission, didn’t give up and achieved his objective.

He said the leaders, who worked for the people’s welfare and delivered according to their expectations, were remembered forever, while those, who focused on self-interest, were forgotten by history.

The prime minister said the vision should be strong as a weak vision could never deliver.

“One might confront a lot of difficulties and criticism of the people but he or she should be determined to fight for vision with complete determination,” he said.

The premier said he was nine-year-old when he decided that he would become an outstanding cricketer one day and finally, he achieved that aim.

He said the country would overcome the prevailing economic crisis soon and that the government had focused its attention on strengthening institutions.

“Pakistan has huge human capital and natural resources,” he said.

The premier said there was a need for strengthening institutions, while the government continued its struggle to achieve the objective. He asked students to concentrate on studies and come forward to play their role for the country’s progress.

The premier said the standard of education should be maintained, which was compulsory for a bright future of the universities and country.

He appreciated the GIK Institute for having a brilliant record of academic excellence and said it was one of the few outstanding universities in the country, who immensely contributed to the country.

“The GIK Institute has remained a centre of excellence and the academia of the institute should work for maintaining exceptional standard,” he said.

The premier urged the rector to conduct research on the life of Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and promised funds for the purpose.

He inaugurated the newly-built academic block and visited laboratories. The premier also planted a sapling in front of new academic block.

Speaker of the National Assembly Asad Qaisar, federal education minister Shafqat Mahmood, KP finance minister Taimur Khan Jhagra, President of Society for the Promotion of Engineering Sciences and Technology Engineer Shamsul Mulk, Executive Director of Soprest Shakil Durrani, Rector of the GIK Institute Engineer Jehangir Bashar, teachers and students attended the event.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2019