KARACHI: Pakistan’s Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Friday emphasized the importance of equal rights for minority communities and advocated for the implementation of meritocracy and increased social opportunities to uplift and integrate them into mainstream society.
During an interactive session with students at Aga Khan University, the prime minister reaffirmed the equal status of minorities as Pakistani citizens.
Addressing the need to instill confidence in the population, Prime Minister Kakar urged the enforcement of meritocracy and the creation of social opportunities for minorities. In response to questions about freedom of expression, he asserted that incidents involving violations of this right were not limited to any specific government term, emphasizing the historical context of such challenges.
Regarding the rights and status of Gilgit Baltistan, the prime minister affirmed that GB was an integral part of Pakistan. He encouraged addressing issues related to rights through peaceful means and highlighted the importance of maintaining a positive political process, envisioning GB as a vital component akin to Singapore.
Discussing healthcare after the 18th amendment, Prime Minister Kakar emphasized the need for visionary leadership to address challenges, especially in fund management. He expressed concern over the allocation of substantial funds for parliamentarians amidst a crisis in higher education and research, calling for a policy-level realization of the issue.
Pakistan’s PM Expresses Concern Over Education Research Crisis
On the topic of the brain drain and educated individuals moving abroad, the prime minister adopted a pragmatic stance, stating that as long as individuals contribute to the country’s development through remittances, it is a natural and beneficial phenomenon. He acknowledged the importance of filling gaps in the domestic workforce while recognizing the positive impact of expatriates on the country’s GDP.
Prime Minister Kakar conveyed his deep connection to educational institutions and provided a historical overview of education and research, highlighting the evolution from ancient Greece to the modern era with the advent of unprecedented tools and technologies.
