To turn PM House into an institute

IN his budget speech as well as post-budget press conference, Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh repeated the assertion made earlier by Prime Minister Gilani to turn the PM’s House into an international standard institute of higher learning.

On the face of it, the announcement seems to be well-intentioned and pious but it has failed to evoke the kind of response it should have because of ground realities and contradictions. In the first place, the very intent of the Prime Minister is questionable as he preferred to enjoy cozy living at the most picturesque spot of the capital for 4 years and this new idea struck to him only in the last few months of his tenure. No one knows whether the incumbent PM would return to the power or not after the forthcoming general elections and therefore, the onus would rest on the new comer. Secondly, though the PM House covers a huge area but actual building structure is too small to accommodate any worthwhile institute and it would be wastage of precious resources to dismantle the existing structure and create a new one suitable for such an institution. There are host of places not just in Islamabad but all over the country to establish institutions of excellence. Then the most important aspect of the issue is that how can we afford an institution of learning in the midst of highly sensitive red zone and close to the vicinity of Presidency, Parliament House, Pakistan Secretariat and other important offices. It is shameful that on the one hand you abandoned the plan for establishment of nine S&T universities and now you want to deprive the nation of a facility on which billions were spent. PM House is not personal private residence of a person but official abode of the chief executive, which is frequently visited by foreign dignitaries and therefore, should remain as such.