Unity stressed to counter challenges

LAHORE
Federal Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal has said the institutions have learnt to enforce the Constitution and rule of law in the country.
Speaking at a seminar organised by Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman Memorial Society (MKRMS) on the topic ‘United for Peace and Development’, the minister said President of China will soon visit Pakistan.
The seminar was co-organised by “Interfaith Harmony for Peace Foundation”. The seminar was hosted by Attique and coordinated by Shahzad Rauf.
The minister said: “The challenges faced by Pakistan in the post 9/11 scenario are not new to anyone. It is just that we have been lacking the kind of national unity and resolve needed to counter challenges.
The internal and external throats to the progress and development of the country will no longer be allowed to hold hostage to security threats. The nation is now united and has no ambiguity which has enabled the government to ensure supremacy of the constitution and rule of law and the country is now well and truly on the highway to progress”.
He said had PTI not tainted the national image, Pakistan would have hosted the US President better than India.
He stressed the need for advancement in science and technology for progress and development. Hatred only begets hatred and stalls progress in its footsteps, he concluded.
Parliamentary Secretary, Human Rights, Tariq Masih Gill said in a society where one human derogates the other or sees them as lesser humans, peace is a far-cry. He said peace stems from the basic principal of equality. He said respect or religion should be practiced by everyone and who intentionally derides a religion or its prime personality and commits blasphemy does not have the right to live.
Professor Attique said ever since the history of the world all religions and religious personalities have preached peace, harmony and coexistence. It, therefore, would be irrational to offend such messengers of peace. It would be principally incorrect to not raise once voice and call for punishment for such provocation, he added.
Hafiz Liaqat Ali Zia said there is a state of chaos in the country and it is high time to resolve differences and work for national harmony and peace.
Secretary General, JI, Liaqat Baloch said peace is a prerequisite for progress. The world has seen the ills of war in the two world wars. Respect for difference of opinion and respect for religion are core values that define peace and progress.
He said the certain powers for which peace is not profitable are creating chaos by toeing an agenda of offending peaceful religions, provoking hatred and then earning billion through the resulting conflict.
Former Education Minister Imran Masood said: “We need to clearly show the world that we do not believe in extremism. He criticised the double standards of the west about capital punishment.
President Tanzeem-Al-Akhwan Sahibzada Malik Abdul Qadeer Awan, Sahibzada Irfan Ferozi, Father James Channan, Pir Aijaz Hashmi, Mohammad Amjad Advocate, Haji Nazeer Malik, Mian Ashraf Advocate, Aijaz Shakiri, Barrister Amir Hassan and Zia-ul-Haq Naqshbandi called for tolerance and said personal gains should be compromised for national development.
MKRMS Chairman Wasif Nagi said Holy Prophet (PBUH) was a messenger for peace and harmony for the entire universe. “We need to unite in the light of his preaching and should resolve conflicts,” he said and called for a Grand National plan for development on which all parties and stakeholders should be consulted to eliminate chances of disagreement.