Money isn’t everything, PM Khan tells students

Prime Minister Imran Khan was in Mianwali yesterday to attend Namal College’s 6th convocation as the chief guest.At the ceremony, he addressed the students and other attendees, stressing on the importance of working hard to bring about change.“There are two kinds of worldviews that exist; one that says that I [a leader] am going to take care of my own needs, and then see what I want to do for others,” said the premier.“The other worldview is to be part of a welfare state, and for leaders to take care of the needs of the people first, instead of giving priority to their own needs,” Khan remarked.“In a welfare state like Madinah, so many years ago, they understood that education was more important than money. They used to free prisoners of war once they had taught 10 people to read.“They did not give priority to wealth – they gave importance to education.“[Leader of the Opposition] Shehbaz Sharif made some low comments about Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar [in the National Assembly] – my question to him is, who are you to say anything when you got everything through your brother?” said Khan.During Wednesday’s parliament session, the opposition leader had criticised Buzdar, who succeeded Sharif as Punjab chief minister, saying: “This chief minister cannot even respond to nature’s call without the prime minister’s permission.”Prime Minister Khan acknowledged that this was “not the place” for talking politics, but added: “I have to say it as I don’t get a chance in the assembly; they [the opposition] don’t let me speak.”Khan, reinforcing his faith in Buzdar’s capabilities, said that he would become the “best chief minister”.“Because he [Buzdar] will not abuse his power, he will not use his position to make money – he will use his power for the good of the people,” the premier said.The prime minister told the students that whatever they set out to achieve, they can.He urged them to learn from failures by rectifying mistakes.“Do understand that there will be bad times; however, know that bad times arise to make you aware of what you have been doing wrong. University education equips you to understand these things.“Do not set ‘making money’ as your life goal; it will not be satisfying as there is no end goal to achieve.”He said that no country in the world has made progress without upholding accountability and merit, adding that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government is answerable to the people of Pakistan, and everyone in the government is accountable for spending public money.Earlier, upon his arrival in his hometown, the prime minister was received by Punjab Chief Minister Buzdar, Radio Pakistan reported.Members of the management of the university were also present at the time of the prime minister’s arrival.Last year, after winning all five constituencies from which he contested the general elections, Khan announced that he would retain his hometown seat of Mianwali and vacate other seats.Khan secured 163,538 votes from NA-95 against his opponent Haji Obaidullah Khan Shadikhel of the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N), who got only 50,015 votes.NA-95 Mianwali (I) is spread over a vast hilly area, adjacent to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with a belt having Pashto-speaking population.Most of the people of the Pashto-speaking belt are serving in the armed forces.