DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Aug 12 (APP):The speakers at an all-parties conference (APC) have called for self-reform, national unity and an end to religious, ethnic, linguistic and political divisions, saying the country’s problems could not be resolved without individual and collective accountability. The conference was organised by the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League at a local restaurant in connection with Pakistan Independence Day. Addressing the gathering, the party’s Dera division president Qamar …
Speakers urge self-reform, unity at DI Khan conference
DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Aug 12 (APP):The speakers at an all-parties conference (APC) have called for self-reform, national unity and an end to religious, ethnic, linguistic and political divisions, saying the country’s problems could not be resolved without individual and collective accountability.
The conference was organised by the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League at a local restaurant in connection with Pakistan Independence Day.
Addressing the gathering, the party’s Dera division president Qamar Muhammad Ramzan said that the people should refrain from blaming others and instead examine their own conduct. “If we correct ourselves, the system will automatically improve,” he said.
He urged upon the people to offer prayers, avoid falsehood, respect the rights of others and fulfil their responsibilities towards the Almighty and fellow citizens as well. He said his party would provide a platform for ending various forms of hatred and division.
Shia Ulema Council Pakistan’s central vice president Allama Muhammad Ramzan Tauqeer said there was no room for despair and that Pakistan would remain secure. Referring to Quaid-i-Azam’s principles of faith, unity and discipline, he questioned whether the nation was truly united and disciplined.
He said “firm conviction” meant placing trust in Allah rather than relying on foreign powers. He also called for free education, healthcare and justice, saying the poor were bearing the brunt of a system in which basic services had become increasingly unaffordable.
Pakistan Markazi Muslim League Dera division vice president Sohail Mangat said there was a need to understand the concept of an Islamic system, which, he said, could help address the country’s problems.
The party’s general secretary Maqsood Hussain Sandhu said millions of people had sacrificed their lives during the struggle for Pakistan and thousands of women had suffered during the partition. He stressed the need to educate the younger generation about the sacrifices of their forefathers, the ideology of Pakistan, peace and national unity.
Mufti Yasin, general secretary of the party’s South Waziristan chapter, described independence as a great blessing and urged people to live according to Islamic teachings.
Jamaat-i-Islami district general secretary Asad Jan said the objective of Pakistan’s creation was the establishment of an Islamic system. He called for following the Seerat of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and ending sectarianism.
Jamaat-i-Islami Dera tehsil president Zahid Mohibullah Advocate said patriotism should be reflected in people’s conduct. He criticised corruption, unemployment and the lack of peace, and called for truthfulness and accountability.
PML-N leader Dr Abdullah Zafri urged the younger generation to be familiarised with the ideology of Pakistan and the sacrifices made by Muslims of the subcontinent. He said Pakistan was a nuclear and defence power and expressed pride in being Pakistani.
Former MPA Kishwar Kumar called for self-correction and adherence to the principles of the country’s founder, saying that “Pakistan is there, so are we”.
Central Anjuman-i-Tajiran and Civil Society president Sohail Ahmed Azmi said the nation had deviated from its objectives soon after independence. He criticised inflation, corruption and restrictions on democratic freedoms, and said D.I. Khan was also facing a shortage of recreational facilities and peace.
PML-N Dera district general secretary Chaudhry Riaz Advocate recalled the sacrifices made during the Pakistan Movement and said Pakistanis should be grateful for living in an independent country.
APCA and Dera Baloch Ittehad president Zubair Baloch said the ideology of Pakistan was essential for its survival. He warned that nations without a unifying ideology eventually disintegrated and said the country’s enemies sought to divide people along religious and linguistic lines.
The speakers called for putting aside differences, remembering the sacrifices made for Pakistan and working collectively to strengthen peace, justice and national unity.
