Human Actions Should be Based on Reasonableness
On March 5, Lahore Chapter organized a seminar on Peace & Tolerance.
The speakers at the seminar included Mr.Abdur Rauf Siddque(TV host), Mr Nazir Kaiser (poet), and Mr Najam Wali Khan.
Ms Alylia Shah Gen Sec Lahore Chapter briefed the participants about LFP and objective of the seminar.
Mr Najam Wali Khan was of the opinion that democracy, good governance and economic development can only be realized and sustained if there is peace, tolerance and understanding amongst the people.
Mr Abdur Siddque talked about secularism and said that we all should strive for religious liberty and the separation of state and religion. He said that secularism implies a belief that human actions and decisions should be based on reasons and common sense rather than religious beliefs and influence.
Mr Nazir Kaiser talked about individual freedom and said that the Constitution guarantees religious rights and freedoms to all, including non-Muslims. However, he criticized the religious laws for impinging upon the civil liberties of anyone who is not a Muslim.
Seminar ended with a question & answer session and words of thanks by the president Muhammed Safder.
Democratic Practices within the Political Parties
On July 7, the Lahore Chapter organized a seminar on the subject of “Democratic Practices within the Political Parties”.
Senator S.M. Zafar, Mian Imran Masood former education minister Punjab of PML-Q, Abdul Qadir Shaheen of the PPP, and Yunis Malik President LFP Lahore Chapter spoke at the seminar. The seminar was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr Yunis Malik introduced LFP and the objectives of the seminar.
Mr Imran Masood lamented that political parties in Pakistan are personality and family. He said that hardly a party has democratic attitude. He was of the opinion that awareness among the the masses regarding the democratic culture and its benefits to the individuals may change this feudal culture in the parties.
Mr Qadir Shaheen called for regular elections within the political parties.
Mr SM Zafar appreciated the free media and civil society’s role in strengthening democracy and promoting democratic culture in the society. He explained that article 17(4) was removed from the Constitution through the 18th Amendment because it was introduced by a Musharraf who was seen by many as a dictator. He said that this clause hardly made a difference and hardly resulted in holding of elections within the parties. He said that the ultimate responsibility for promoting democratic culture in the parties is that of the latter.
The chapter GS Safdar at the end thanked the speakers and the participants.
Topic: Governance & Terrorism
On February 27, LFP’s Lahore Chapter organized a seminar on the subject of “Governance & Terrorism”. Mr. Mian Ijaz, Mr. Olaf Kellerhoff Resident Representative FNF, Mr. Sohail Malik, Ms. Tehmina Dultana PML (N) and Mr. Younis Malik Coordintor LFP Lahore Spoke to the seminar.
Mr. Malik has introduced the LFP and its, functioning
Topic: Local Government & Governance
On February 9, LFP’s Lahore Chapter organized a seminar on the subject of “Local Government & Governance”. District Coordinator LFP Lahore Malik Younis, Mr. Zahid Islam Chairman Sangat Organization, Mr. Matloob Ahmed Warriach PPPP, Ms. Ayesha Javed PML (N), and Mr. Anees Jillani Chairperson LFP Spoke to the seminar.
Mr. Malik has introduced the LFP and its, functioning.
Mr. Zahid said that LFP foundation has taken place in the same hall in 1999; LFP has been working to aware the miserable persons of the society about their basic rights and build a society where everyone have equal opportunities, respect of individual’s freedom and expression without any discrimination of cast, creed, color and religion. He added local government system is the basis of democracy; we strongly condemn the amendment in local government ordinance. He said we should empower the individuals and devolve the powers at local level.
Mr. Matloob Ahmed said PPPP always fights for the basic rights of citizens of Pakistan. PPPP is a real liberal party in Pakistan who discuss the issues of common citizens but all the time establishment creates hurdles in the working of PPPP Government.
Ms. Ayesha Javid said Punjab government proved their self and has been giving better governance system to the common man relatively to other provinces. She added we have been focusing on education and health in the province and make sure the government departments more actively serve the nation and develop a transparent system.
Mr. Anees Jillani congratulated the newly elected office bearer of LFP Lahore chapter & advised them to establish a women wing of LFP Lahore chapter so give them equal opportunity to participate in the LFP affairs. He added its time to devolve the power to the community so they take interest & actively participate in the local issues and solve them their own. He strongly condemned the appointment of administrators in the districts.
Seminar was followed by the Question & Answer session; word of thanks by General Secretary LFP Lahore Mr. Safdar.
Lahore Chapter Elects New Office-Bearers
On January 14, LFP Lahore chapter has convened a meeting of members to elect the office bearers for the year 2010. M. younis Malik was unanimously elected as the President LFP Lahore, while Muhammed Safdar as the General Secretary Lahore Chapter and Mr Junaid Qaiser as the Information Secretary LFP Lahore.
