Former Pakistani PM expresses gratitude for Turkish schools

Yousuf Raza Gilani, a former prime minister of Pakistan, has praised Turkish schools that have been operating for 18 years in his country, saying that they serve as bridges between his nation and Turkey.

“I am thankful to Turkey and its people for the schools in my home city, Multan,” Gilani said in a recent interview with Today's Zaman.

Underlining that Pakistan's major problems result from a lack of adequate education, the former prime minister noted that the developed education system at Pakistan's 23 Turkish schools could play a significant role in solving those problems in the country.

“I believe that Pakistani children are talented and have potential, yet they fail to show it,” Gilani said, adding that if all the children in his country were provided with an education similar to those given at the Turkish schools, it would be easier to cope with the ongoing challenges in Pakistan.

Gilani mentioned his country's efforts to develop the education system and noted that Pakistan has turned some madrasahs, or Islamic theological schools, into modern education institutions.

“This issue [education system] will be dealt with by each state as an internal matter. We have provided financial support for education ministers of those states,” he said.

Published on Today's Zaman, 11 February 2014, Tuesday