Cause of failures leaders not capabilities: President
Bureau Report

LAHORE—President General Pervez Musharraf has said Pakistan is case of failure of leadership rather than lack of capabilities and resources.
He said this while addressing 5th annual convocation of Government College University (GCU). Governor Punjab and chancellor GCU Lt Gen (Retd) Khalid Maqbool, chief minister Punjab Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, Punjab education minister Mian Imran Masood , renowned nuclear scientist Dr Samar Mubarakmand and others were also present on the occasion. President reiterated election-2007 will decide the destiny of the country. “ We have to tell the world and ourselves what we want for the country. The nation has to decide if it wants to hand over Pakistan to moderate and enlightened forces or forces of retrogression.
Addressing the students the president said “you have to play vital role in the upcoming elections as “ we are people from outgoing generation. You are the leaders and rulers of tomorrow. You should focus on your personality building. In my opinion, an all encompassing personality is composed of two parts that is social and moral. The first part covers social interaction and social relationship and the second part is based on fortification of moral character.
The evils of corruption and nepotism prevailing in our society are products of moral degeneration, he cautioned. We have to wipe out them, he added. “ I want to ask you what we want to do with Pakistan. Do we want such a society which is free from intolerance and extremism. Do you want people be not provided opportunity to remain happy, smile and laugh and enjoy TV programs. Do we want all should be allowed to happen here what is going on in Bajaur. No, never at all. Islam teaches the lesson of tolerance, brotherhood and live and let others live.
“But a specific class of the people wants to take us to the period of retrogression by depicting wrong picture of the world”, he remarked. Being a Muslim we should think what we want for the Muslim Ummah. Do we have the requisite capability if we want to change the world. We must remember that no country is fully independent in this globalized world. All have shared interests and it affects sovereignty.
He underlined there is no room for any thought to raise conflicts in the world of today. Whosoever thinks to change the world through this mean he commits folly. Time is ripe now to put the world on the path to peace and tranquility. It is possible only on the basis of equality. This way we can pull out ourselves being single Ummah from the bottom of degradation and decadence.
The past rulers pursued the course of putting the vital national problems to cold storage rather than solving them. Our government is discharging all national obligations ranging from construction of all dams including Kalabagh dam, Balochistan issue where 90 percent area was declared B area, provincial autonomy, Hudood ordinance to NFC award. I however think when your intent is good and commitment is firm, then Almighty Allah helps you.
“ You should remember we are if Pakistan is. We have spent our lives and now you have to spend your life”, he observed. President announced GCU is 143 years old institution and government would meet its all requirements to maintain it and take it forward. Chief minister Punjab Chaudhry Pervez Elahi has assured to provide land to GCU for construction of its new campus. I hold out assurance to provide all financial assistance without mentioning any specific amount.
In the world of today the potential of any nation is determined by its population and human resources, he said. I am however sorry to say that Pakistan despite being a nuclear country is far behind in this field. Our education system from primary to higher level calls for changes as not a single university among 500 major universities of the world is from Pakistan. World of today is world of knowledge and information. We are the best in the world in terms of natural resources and mental faculties. But we are backward in the fields of knowledge and information. We have no time to correct it. We have already lagged behind and we have to catch up with those who are outpacing us.
President maintained the Muslim world is possessing 70 percent oil and gas resources and 50 percent of natural resources of the world. But it is regretted to note that the overall GDP growth rate of all the 57 Muslim countries is 70 percent lower than Japan and 50 percent than Germany as the latter are equipped with knowledge and information while we are lacking them.