KOHAT: Veteran politician Syed Iftikhar Hussain Gilani has said that irreparable damage has been caused to the country during the past 10 years.

Mr Gialani, who remained part of the team of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto during drafting the 1973 Constitution, however, termed China-Pakistan Economic Corridor a milestone for the future prosperity and development of Pakistan. He said that CPEC could bring lasting peace and development to the region.

“CPEC has increased the importance of the country manifold in the region and brought once a foe Russia into cordial terms with Pakistan as it has started business with our country,” he told Dawn during a chat.

Mr Gilani termed it an honour for him to work as law minister in the government of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed.

He said that Benazir Bhutto called him and late Farooq Leghari for a meeting to choose president of the country and selected the former, who later toppled her government. He said that was so disheartened that he left Pakistan Peoples Party after 45 years.

He said that after resigning from PPP, he joined Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and then Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf but did not get a breather.

“Now I feel relaxed as an independent man without having any political affiliation. I spent 45 years in active politics. I have seen many ups and downs during martial law while remaining in opposition,” said Mr Gilani.

He condemned attack on journalist Musarratullah Jan and demanded strict punishment for the attackers.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2023