We Don’t Have to Sacrifice Our Lives for Peace But Peace Saves Lives
On April 9, Karachi Chapter conducted a seminar on Peace & Tolerance which was addressed by Mr Nazir Lagari (editor), Ms Raheela Tawana (former deputy speaker), Syed A Mateen (writer) ,Mr Abdul Maroof Khan (deputy district prosecutor Sindh) and Ms Tauqeer Fatima Bhutto (minister for women development Sindh).
Ms Gulfarina, president Karachi chapter, started the debate and discussion and was followed by Ms Bhutto who said that the PPP Government has always wanted to create peace and promote tolerance.
Mr Nazir Lagari said that peace is only possible when we promote tolerance; we don’t have to sacrifice our lives for peace but peace always save lives.
Mr Mateen said that government and other entities should conduct themselves separately from religion and/or religious beliefs. He said that religion is an individual matter and criticized forces including the religious parties for introducing religion in the polity. He said that the mullahs had opposed the creation of Pakistan and Quaide Azam.
Ms Tawana while talking about governance said that if government improves its policies, then the people would themselves take steps to promote peace. She also wanted the civil society to play an important role in creating awareness about the rights of the poor and the suppressed communities.
Mr Maroof Khan talked about individual freedom and social responsibility; and said that coercion should not be allowed in matters of faith and belief. Everyone should have freedom of speech and information but this freedom should be coupled with social responsibility which is currently lacking in the local media at present.
Question and answer session took place after each speech and the seminar ended with concluding remarks by Ms Gulfarina who said that everyone loves her own faith but at the same time we should learn to respect others’ religion as well. This is the simple key to promote peace and tolerance, according to her.
Karachi Chapter Finally Revitalized
Ms Gul Farina was elected President of the Karachi Chapter in an election held on September 30, 2010; the whole electoral process was supervised by Sindh President Mr. Sajid Channa.
Mr Zulfiqar Rajpar has been elected General Secretary, and Mr Iqbal Shafiq as the Information Secretary.
The office bearers will remain in office till end of December 2011, subject to at least 20 members clearing their dues for the next year.
The elections were followed by a seminar on Liberalism addressed by Mr Nazir Leghari, Ms Huma Baqai and LFP Chairman.
Karachi chapter office bearers elected for the term 2011 subject to the condition with the consent of 2011 good standing members said by Chairperson LFP.
