Separation of Religion and Politics Stressed in Lodhran Seminar
On April 4, Lodhran Chapter held a seminar on Peace & Tolerance. The speakers at the seminar included Professor Hussain Raza Rizvi (professor), Mr Majeed Ahmad Nashad (president Press Club), Muhammad Shafiq Almas (social activist), Wali Muhammad Kashif (scholar), and Mr Shahbaz Awan (LFP Punjab President) .
Mr Shahbaz Awan started the discussion. Then Mr Nashad shared his views about secularism and said that Pakistan should be declared a secular state because this is what Quaide Azam desired all his life and because religion is a personal matter and government should exist separately from religion. There should be separation of religion and politics. He desired the government to treats every religion equally enjoying the same rights and privileges and where no religion is superior to another in the eyes of the government.
Mr Rizvi said that the root of religious extremism was given State patronage by the military under the leadership of General Zia. He criticized the civilian governments for being myopic and lamented that the civilian setups always failed to change the policies introduced by different military regimes. He said that if these civilian politicians had made some effort in serving the masses instead of indulging in corruption the fate of the country would have been different.
Mr Almas said that nobody is born tolerant, but the society makes them tolerant by the introduction of useful values. He said that one learns to be tolerant. You see the children they are free. They express freely. They are not tolerant but you help them to learn tolerance. Tolerance is not an inborn tendency in man. It is acquired by daily practice.
Mr Kashif said that the effects of poor governance have compounded the economic causes of rising poverty such as decline in GDP growth rate, increasing indebtedness, inflation, falling public investment and poor state of physical infrastructure.
Ms Amina Hussain Baloch concluded the seminar and the participants had tea after that.
Individual Freedom Comes Social Responsibility
On June 16, 2010, the Lodhran Chapter organized a seminar on “Individual Freedom”.
Mr. Shahbaz Awan LFP Punjab President, Ms. Sofia Arshad, Mr. Waseem Abbas Akash, Mr. Wali Kashif, Ms. Iffat Tahira Somroo Advocate, Ghulam Meeran Advocate, Mr. Hakim Taqi, addressed the participants.
Mr. Shahbaz briefed the participants about LFP and its functioning.
Ms Sofia Arshad briefed the audience about human right laws. She called upon all to play an active role to create awareness in the community about these laws so they can protect their rights.
Mr Waseem Abbas Akash said individual freedom is related to economic freedom and it is the responsibility of the State to provide individual freedom and equal opportunities to all at all levels without any discrimination.
Wali Kashif said that the cause of failure of freedom in our society is because of the feudal and caste systems. He added that we should respect the right of others and give equal chance to all at all levels so that everyone can take part in building this society towards progressiveness.
Ms Iffat Tahira said that basic human rights start from section 9 to 28 of the Constitution. Every human has the same rights and entitled to equal opportunities at all levels. She said that we all should respect the rights of others.
Ghulam Meeran said discrimination at all levels even in education system violate the basic rights of individual. He added we should educate, and create awareness.
Hakim Taqi criticized the governmental policies, strategies and actions that support the feudal system and snub individual rights. He said that the elected representatives go to the assemblies only for power and not to bring about any welfare of the society.
Seminar was followed by a question and answer session; and ended with Ms Amina Hussain thanking all.
Lodhran Chapter Elects New Office-Bearers
On March 15, LFP Lodhran Chapter has convened a meeting of members to elect the office bearers for the year 2010. Ms Ameena Hussain Baloch was unanimously elected as the President, while Mr Sajjad hussain as the General Secretary and Syed M Azhar Bukhari as the Information Secretary.
Punjab Elects New Leadership
On November 23, 2009, the General Body of LFP Punjab, elected its President, General Secretary and Information Secretary; and also voted to elect four members to represent it in the Board of Directors which would elect the central office bearers. All the new positions will become effective January 1, 2010, and will be for a term of two years.
