Nobel laureate for rule of law, freedom to end terrorism

LAHORE : Every dictator is a terrorist and every terrorist is a dictator as they always blocks the means of peaceful change and create misunderstandings about Islam while there is a need to demonstrate the true spirit of Islam, a nonviolent and peaceful religion, through tolerance, rule of law and love.

According to a press release, this was stated by Mrs Tawakkol Karman Yemini, Nobel Peace Prize laureate of 2011, presently settled in Turkey, in her keynote address on the first day of “Afkar-e-Taza” ThinkFest on Saturday. The event is being held by the Information Technology University (ITU) in collaboration with Federal Higher Education Commission (HEC), Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) and other private sector organisations.

Tawakkol Karman Yemini said, "The activities of terrorist groups like Daesh were threat to the humanity during the defining moments of the history when we are facing racism, hatred and extremism, which are counter-revolution and are meant to crush people striving for democracy. We choose rule of law, freedom and democracy to end terrorism as there was no choice between terrorism and dictatorship. Religion was a tool in the hands of monarchy."

In his opening remarks, Dr Umar Saif, founding vice-chancellor of ITU, said, "We must question where we are going and what we could do in our personal capacity to put our country on path of democracy for establishing an enlightened and progressive society through profound, deep and delicate exercise to contribute to narrative and counter-narrative."

Thinkers and intellectuals should determine and articulate during the discourse to set the goals for the country, he added.

In another session, Technology: the silver bullet for improving governance, Hassan Khawar, CPDR, Salman Ansari, SATC and Ishrat Hussain, former Governor State Bank of Pakistan, opined that bureaucrats knew the policy but had no knowledge of technology while in Punjab the consultancy of PITB had brought about a significant change through automation and training.

Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, lately chairperson, Conservative Party, UK and former Foreign Office minister, will be the keynote speaker on the second and the concluding day of the conference, being participated by 112 high-profile speakers, including 25 from around the globe and representatives of 35 universities from all the four provinces and delegations from six universities.

Entry to the event is free for ensure maximum participation of the youth and people from all walks of life.