Gilani miffed by Population Day dance performance

Islamabad, July 12 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has expressed his displeasure over a dance performance presented by an artist at the World Population Day function held at the Prime Minister Secretariat.

Gilani has directed his staff to avoid such activity at official functions in the future.

Before the start of the function, a dancer performed the theme song on World Population Day, The Nation reports.

Although Gilani did not interrupt during the performance, he later expressed his disappointment over it.

He told Secretariat staff not to promote such activities at official functions at the Prime Minister Secretariat or the PM House.

According to sources, Gilani also expressed his annoyance with Federal Minister for Population Welfare, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, as well.

Speaking on the occasion, Gilani said unless rapid population growth was checked, Pakistan's problems could not be addressed through economic measures alone.

"Low GDP growth along with high population growth rates had put Pakistan in a situation where it was hard to provide relief to common man," Gilani said.

Commenting on the theme of World Population Day 'Responding to Economic Crises: Investing in Women is a Smart Choice', he said government is fully cognisant of the fact that without active involvement of women in socio-economic activities, it is not possible to meet the present day challenges.

"To endorse the efforts of Ministry of Population Welfare, he asked the concerned ministries, including Finance and Planning for ensuring availability of resources for addressing the issue of population to derive maximum benefits for the masses," he said. (ANI)