Aziz wants to educate, uplift his people if gets another chance

Singapore, Jun 20 (UNI) Former Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz wishes to work on educating his people and uplift their living standards if he gets another chance to serve the country.

Mr Aziz, who gave a lecture at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore yesterday, responded positively to a question of what he would want to do if he had the opportunity of serving Pakistan again.

The ex premier stressed on the world to understand that Islam was a peaceful religion just as any other religion. He tried to clear the misconception of Islam being linked to global terrorism, and called for continuing efforts to promote the peace loving concept of Islam.

Mr Aziz also gave a first hand account on assassination attempt on his life in the lecture he gave to the school, when he was Prime Minister.

He said the suicide bomber who died in the attempt, killing several people including his driver, was an innocent person trapped in the terrorism network.

Terrorism involved innocent people who never know what they are doing but are being manipulated by disgruntled groups, he added.

Mr Aziz claimed that his administration has helped in uplifting the living standards of the Pakistan people to about an average of 1,000 US dollars per capita income, up from 400 dollars in the past.

Pakistan has the highest per capita income in South Asia, he pointed out, adding that economic benefits and high living standards provide a better life for people.

He called for more opportunities for innocent people in education, employment and income generating avenues to keep them from falling into terrorism trap.

Mr Aziz also touched on the improving relations between Pakistan and India in many ways including sharing of information on terrorism.

The former prime minster was on a private visit to Singapore, after attending the World Economic Forum in Kuala Lumpur.

UNI XC RJ DB0922