Daily Times
Published Date: Sep 23, 2015
Jinnah’s vision of Muslim welfare state highlighted in seminar
ISLAMABAD: “Quaid-e-Azam, Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision of Pakistan was that it would be a democratic, welfare state for Muslims, which will not be theocratic,” says Senator Afrasiab Khattak of Awami National Party on Tuesday.
Addressing the seminar on ‘Changing Narrative – Policy options for Pakistan’ organised by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), he said, Pakistan should get rid of ‘takfirism’ and the related hate crime.
In a stipulated form, National Action Plan, agreed by the nation is the way forward. He said it is a pity that the plan has not been implemented in totality. The plan consists of 21 agenda items, many of which have been not implemented. Proscribed organisations are still working under the new names. He suggested that internally displace persons (IDPs) of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) should be rehabilitated at the earliest.
Senator Osman Saifullah Khan of Pakistan Peoples’ Party said Pakistan should adopt policy to promote a tolerant society. He said, “There should be a complete intolerance for intolerance.” In election campaign political parties wrongfully use banner and slogans of Islam for political gain. Also, he said, “We should understand that there are groups, who have ideological grievances against state of Pakistan and are fighting for their agenda. We need policy redress at the domestic front.”
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf MNA Ali Muhammad Khan claimed that the narrative is already changing. He said there is no room for any militant ideology in Islam. “The militancy was imposed on us by the west for their gains. Hardliners were created by the west to fight in Afghanistan. Less than one thousand opponents were killed in all wars fought by the prophet (SAWW). That does not mean that we should not reform ourselves. Hate speech should totally be abolished in the society.”
Jan Achakzai emphasised the need of building a narrative against terrorism, poverty, illiteracy and other such menace. “We need to have clarity and Pakistan should have narrative for every issue.” Pakistan should adopt a narrative to stop hate crime and corruption, he added. Centre for Future Policy and Strategic Studies Head Shakeel Ramay encouraged the political parties to firm up a narrative for the future.
Source: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/islamabad/23-Sep-2015/jinnah-s-vision-of-muslim-welfare-state-highlighted-in-seminar#