Punjab University holds seminar on 'Fall of Dhaka'

Punjab University Centre for South Asian Studies (CSAS) in collaboration with Department of Political Science organized a seminar on "Dismemberment of Pakistan December 16, 1971". Director CSAS and Chairperson Department of Political Science Professor Dr Umber Javaid, former chief justice Mian Mahboob Ahmed, Lieutenant General Naseer Akhtar, Colonel Ikramullah Khan, faculty members and a large number of students were present on the occasion.
Dr Umber in her welcome address said that dismemberment of East Pakistan was the direst incident in Pakistan's history. "Although much has been said on the issue but new aspects and suggestions should also come to limelight," she added. Colonel Ikramullah Khan said that after the Fall of Baghdad, the dismemberment of East Pakistan was the biggest tragedy for the Muslim world. He said that our strategic blunder was the main cause of the great loss to the country. However, he said, it was the most unfortunate that the new generation was not much aware of it.
Former Justice Mian Mahboob Ahmed said that the whole nation including our civil society, bureaucracy, establishment and armed forces were responsible for the most tragic incident in our history. He said that we did not treat East Pakistanis on equal basis. He stated further that unfortunately we were still following the same practices. He stressed that we should change our mindset and our dictatorial attitude to avoid such incidents in future.
General Naseer Akhtar said that the war was already lost before it started because we were not well equipped. He also expressed that we could never had understood the actual situation. He said that there were only three army divisions in East Pakistan as compared to India's seven fully equipped divisions. He said we committed many faults that resulted in fall of Dhaka.
Meanwhile, Punjab University Department of Gender Studies (DGS) hosted a seminar on "Peace Within" in collaboration with Shirakat, WAR and Action Aid Lahore. The speakers included Salman Asif, Gender Advisor Bilquis Tahira, Executive Director, Shirakat, Kishwar Sultana, Executive Director, Insan Foundation (IFT), DGS chairperson Professor Dr Samar Fatima and senior faculty member Dr Raana Malik. A large number of students and members of civil society were also present on the occasion. The speakers highlighted the importance of peace and role of different state and non-state actors in promotion of peace and equality in the society.
Salman said that the division of society in classes was the main source of conflicts that had created differences and distances among people. He said that sustainable and effective efforts for promotion of peace could only be achieved through elimination of inequality and class-divisions from the society.