FAISALABAD/LAHORE: Terrorists will not be allowed to destabilise the country and the masses will unite to defeat them, Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer said on Monday.
According to an official handout, addressing the second convocation of the University of Faisalabad, the governor said that a handful of terrorists and extremist elements were trying to sabotage the country’s peace and weaken its strength, adding the “brave nation would not let them win”.
“The government had launched military operations against them (terrorists) in Swat and South Wazirastan after evolving consensus among all stakeholders and now the whole nation is backing the security forces,” Taseer said.
Inducing panic: The Punjab governor said the terrorists were targeting educational institutions and public places to induce panic in society, but the government would not allow them to succeed in their designs.
The governor said every nation had faced tough times in its history, adding that only courageous and brave nations emerged successful in the end.
Taseer said that by “helping their brothers in the earthquake and Swat operation”, the nation had proved it was ready to face any challenge. The governor appreciated the services being rendered by the university, saying it had rapidly grown and had been able to carve a place for itself among the top academic institutions in the country.
Stressing that there was always room for improvement, Taseer said the university should develop more training programmes in science, technology and social sciences. He prayed for success for the graduating students and hoped they would apply their skills and knowledge for the welfare and economic development of the country.
The vice chancellor of the university also spoke on the occasion and said the university was imparting education to more than 2,000 students in different fields including health sciences, engineering and technology, management studies, arts and social science and Islamic studies. Board of Governors Chairman Mian Muhammad Hanif also addressed the convocation.
Priorities: The governor had earlier distributed medals among the top students in their respective fields and awarded degrees to the graduating students.
Separately, chairing a meeting of the General Body of International Women Club, Taseer said women empowerment was one of the main priorities of the Pakistan People’s Party. “Women should play their role in the development of society,” he said.
The governor hailed the role of the International Women Club (IWC) for their services in the social sector. He said non-government organisations like the IWC were playing a very important role in eradicating poverty as well as promoting primary education in poor segments of society.
The governor assured the participants of the club that he would continue to support the organisation and would request philanthropists to donate to the organisation.
Taseer said the country was going through a critical time. “The nation is united against terrorists and fully supports the armed forces. We are a brave nation and are not afraid of the enemies of humanity,” the governor said.
“We are an independent nuclear power and a liberal democratic Islamic country,” he added.
He said President Asif Ali Zardari was a symbol of the federation, adding the president had set new traditions of reconciliation and tolerance in politics.
“After the elections in February 2008, he invited all the political parties to establish the provincial and federal governments and to strengthen the democratic system in Pakistan,” Taseer said, adding the government and the president would complete their tenures and there would be no midterm elections.
The governor said the Kerry-Lugar legislation would help the country eradicate poverty and would develop the social sector. He said the Obama administration had a positive approach to strengthen Pakistan’s economy.
