Hidden forces are busy in weakening the spirit of the ideology of Pakistan. This was evident by not allowing the holiday on Iqbal Day as well as reducing contents on Iqbal in the syllabi of education. We must strengthen the ideology of Pakistan if we have to live as a respectable nation. Urdu should be made the official language as early as possible and efforts should be redoubled to translate scientific literature in our national language. These thoughts were shared by speakers of Pakistan Visionary Forum conference on the topic of "current situation in Pakistan" held at TECH Society Club on Sunday.
Speakers said local bodies elections must be made useful for the benefit of common man at the grass root level by empowering the elected bodies both administratively and financially. There should also be an effective mechanism of monitoring of the performance of the local bodies. Democracy in Pakistan will not be sustainable unless due importance is given to the local governments. The emerging trends in the current elections show weakening of the federation as the major political parties are gaining province specific support only. A large number of independent candidates have won the elections which show lack of trust in the political parties and party based elections. Weak local bodies will not be able to serve the people properly.
Amendments in relevant laws should be made to strengthen the role of local governments in the spirit of the constitution. In addition to the above current issues facing Pakistan, it was also necessary to take serious note of terrorism in the light of changing scenarios of conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. The nation fully appreciates the valiant and patriotic struggle of Pakistan Army to eradicate the lethal menace of terrorism in the form of Zarb-e-Azb. Efforts and sacrifices of the army alone may not achieve sustainable peace unless civil side of the government comes in a big and effective way to take the place of military after the later leaves. The insurgency free localities should be ensured. Strong counter insurgency mechanisms must be established by the civil administration in addition to winning the hearts and minds of the effected people. We must prioritise the focus of our foreign policy to establish strong and dependable friendly relationship with Afghanistan so that porous border between the two countries ceases to act as a cause of insurgency.
Former Federal Law Minister Senator S M Zafar, former Minister of State Qayyum Nizami, agricultural scientist Dr Muhammad Sadiq, former Advisor Comsats Dr Hasibullah, Chairperson Interfaith Harmony Aleena Tiwana, former Auditor General Punjab Jameel Bhatti, former DG Intelligence Bureau Major (retd) Shabbir Ahmed, Colonel Mahmood Shah (retd), former Chairman Mass Communication, Punjab University Professor Dr Mugheesuddin, Engr. Abdul Majeed Khan, M. Zubair Sheikh, Jameel Gishkori, Engr Muhammad Yaqoob, Engr. Muhammad Azeem, former Chairperson Philosophy department, Lahore College for Women Professor Dr Atiya Syed and Salman Abid also speak on the occasion.