Friday, July 2, 2021
Decades of Mental Conditioning Responsible for Anti-Minority Hostility in Pakistan: Speakers
Speakers at a workshop said policies in the past decades were responsible for the progressive radicalization of society. Decades of mental conditioning through education, ideological indoctrination, and other means have led to faith-based polarization and anti-minority hostility in Pakistan. In the contemporary environment, members of minority religious groups find it hard to live in peace with equal rights and dignity. Even constitutional safeguards and other legal protections have done little to ensure equality of citizenship for all, the speakers added.
Social researcher and author of ‘Radicalization in Pakistan’, Safdar Hussain Sial, said the discrimination against religious minorities is widespread and systematic and includes economic exclusion. The minorities often lack equal access to employment opportunities which is a key factor behind the immense economic disparity across different religious groups in Pakistan.
In certain cases, members of minority communities are denied the critical identity or citizenship documents which, among other things, cut them off from the job market, Sial said.
The anti-minority sentiments are further aggravated by the weaponization of certain laws such as those criminalizing blasphemy or targeting a particular religious group. The blasphemy law has been misused against the non-Muslim and Muslim communities alike, leading to many incidents of mob violence, Safdar Sial said, adding that in such a scenario the role of youth in creating a more tolerant and peaceful society is crucial.
During the workshop, the minority issue was also put into regional perspective by security analyst and director Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), Muhammad Amir Rana, who revealed that around 65,000 Rohingya Muslims have been living in desperate conditions in Karachi for decades. Stressing the significance of citizenship, Amir Rana said depriving an individual of citizenship is depriving them of fundamental rights and basic social services such as health and education. The Rohingya community continues to languish as stateless people in Pakistan, he added.
Organized by the Islamabad-based think tank, Pak Institute for Peace Studies, the two-day educational and training workshop was part of the nationwide workshops for the promotion of interfaith harmony among the Pakistani youth. University students from across Balochistan participated in the workshop and exchanged thoughts around the theme of interfaith harmony. The participants were also given quick training ineffective use of social media tools by senior journalist and social media activist, Sabookh Syed. The Pakistani youth can use the power of social media to support peace and harmony, and oppose discrimination against minorities, Syed said.
Former president Asif Ali Zardari admitted to hospital after feeling unwell
Former president Asif Ali Zardari has been admitted to a hospital earlier today (Friday) after his health deteriorated, PPP sources told Geo News.
PPP Co-chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has arrived in Karachi from Islamabad while Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari and her husband have also reached the city from Dubai to attend to her father.
Last year in October, the PPP leader and former president was admitted to a hospital due to low sugar level.
Bilawal, during his recent address at the National Assembly, had said that Zardari had attended a budget session despite being unwell.
The former president had arrived in Karachi recently from Lahore and Islamabad. In Lahore, he had recently attended a meeting with former Punjab chief minister Pervaiz Elahi.
Severe back pain
Dr Asim Hussain said the former president had undergone a medical check-up at a private hospital during which he had complained of severe back pain.
"An orthopedic surgeon is treating Asif Zardari, and he has undergone necessary medical tests," he said while speaking to Geo News.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/358075-former-president-asif-ali-zardari-admitted-to-hospital-after-feeling-unwell-sources
Bilawal Bhutto targets Imran Khan, says PM made life a living hell for people in the name of 'Naya Pakistan'
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari attacked Pakistan PM Imran Khan and said his government has made life a living hell for the masses in the name of "Naya Pakistan."
Zardari made the remark following Imran's budget speech in the National Assembly on Wednesday.
Bilawal was quoted as saying by Geo News that the PM is trying to make a fool out of people because all the measures his government has taken are in favour of the rich instead of the poor.
"The masses do not want to listen to the prime minister delivering a lecture," he was quoted as saying by Geo News. "What sort of hypocrisy is that?"
Bilawal said that the government did not take the Opposition on board when developing the budget, while he also censured the speech delivered by the premier and said that it was "nothing but a mere manipulation of words."
"The prime minister spoke of economic development but he is inviting immigrants to the country," Bilawal said. "The PM makes tall claims about the poor but his actions and policies do not correspond. He's making the rich richer and the poor poorer."
https://www.indiablooms.com/world-details/SA/30145/bilawal-bhutto-targets-imran-khan-says-pm-made-life-a-living-hell-for-people-in-the-name-of-naya-pakistan.html
وزیراعظم عمران خان قوم کے مقابلے میں اپنی انا کو ترجیح دیتے ہیں، بلاول بھٹو
پیپلز پارٹی کے چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری نے کہا ہے کہ وزیراعظم عمران
خان قوم کے مقابلے میں اپنی انا کو ترجیح دیتے ہیں۔
کراچی سے جاری بیان میں بلاول بھٹو زرداری نے قومی سلامتی سے متعلق پارلیمانی کمیٹی کی بریفنگ کو اچھا آغاز قرار دیا۔
انہوں نے کہاکہ ہمارا موقف ہے 2012 ءکی قومی سلامتی کمیٹی کی قرارداد پرعمل درآمد ہو۔
پی پی چیئرمین نے مزید کہا کہ پارلیمان کی قومی سلامتی کمیٹی اجلاس سے وزیراعظم ایک مرتبہ پھر غیر حاضر رہے۔
اُن کا کہنا تھاکہ قومی سلامتی کمیٹی اجلاس میں عدم موجودگی ثابت کرتی ہے کہ وزیراعظم عمران خان قوم کے مقابلے میں اپنی انا کو ترجیح دیتے ہیں۔