The IBA, Karachi in collaboration with Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) organized a conference on Nationalism & Pakistaniat. The objective of this conference was to highlight the true concept of “Pakistaniat”.
Chief guest of the event was Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Zubair Mehmood Hayat Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military), and other prominent guests included Provincial Minister of Sindh M. Taimur Talpur, former Information Minister and Senator Javed Jabbar, DG PICSS Major General (R) Saad Khattak, Vice Admiral (R) Arifullah Hussaini, Advocate (R) Azad Bin Haider, Talat Hussain, Acting Executive Director IBA Dr. Sayeed Ghani, Associate Dean Dr. Huma Baqai, and Program Director IBA-Aman CED Dr. Shahid Qureshi.
In his keynote address, General Hayat said that the US has now realized its mistakes made in Afghanistan and now realizes that solution to the Afghan problem lies in political reconciliation. He also said that the treatment meted out in India to the minorities, especially Muslims, clearly justifies the creation of Pakistan in 1947 as our forefathers under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah foresaw the treatment the Muslims of the subcontinent were likely to face. He further said that the two-nation theory explaining Muslims and Hindus being two separate nations was first adopted by Al-Biruni some 900 years back, who in his book said that this part of the world was inhabited by two separate nations, Hindus and Muslims. General Hayat expressed that the creation of Pakistan was not only the result of tireless efforts of Quaid-e-Azam, but also due to the valuable contributions and numerous sacrifices made by the common people. He also opined that we are the custodians of one of the world’s oldest civilizations and there is no power on earth which can undo Pakistan.
Addressing the conference, Sindh Minister for Environment Climate Change and Coastal Development, Mr. M. Taimur Talpur said that the country’s armed forces with the backing of the nation fought and won a very tough war against terrorism, despite the country being subjected to both internal and external threats. Furthermore, he said that the future of this nation is safe as our younger generation is capable of steering this country to the glory and height that it rightly deserves.
In his address, former Senator Mr. Javed Jabbar said that history and civilization binds together the people of Pakistan regardless of their caste, color, ethnicity and religion. He said that notwithstanding the importance of Mohenjo-daro and Harappa, the Mahargar Civilization whose traces were found in Sibi, Balochistan was 11,000 years old, originating in 9,000 BC just 1,000 years after the signs of settled life on earth were traced. He said that the Pakistani nation is ethnically diverse and this is its strength.
Chairman PICSS Major General (R) Saad Khattak opined that despite the fact that Pakistan was facing numerous challenges, this great country is bound to remain intact. He said that with conviction and devotion, there is nothing that one cannot achieve. Pakistan has achieved notable success in war against terrorism but this war cannot be fought effectively without focusing on its ideological front. He also highlighted PICSS’ motive behind organizing such conferences and said that extremist elements are creating doubts in the youth’s minds and hence PICSS is striving to help the nation fight this war on an ideological front.
Acting Executive Director IBA Dr. Sayeed Ghani said that Pakistaniat is the concept of peace and tolerance. He highlighted the importance of freedom of speech and expression and said that sense of association with the country brought him back from abroad to serve the nation. He advised the participating youth to remain tolerant of each other and work hard to achieve national objectives.
