‘Pakistan needs someone to take a stand and lead’

Speakers at launch ceremony call upon youth to raise their voices against terrorism and extremism.


Sehrish Wasif October 11, 2010

ISLAMABAD: Speakers at a launch ceremony in Islamabad on Saturday called upon the people of Pakistan, especially youth, to raise their voices against terrorism and extremism in the country.

“All Pakistan needs is someone to take a stand and lead, whether he/she is a journalist, a politician or a common man,” said Oscar Morales at 1969 café near Lok Virsa in Islamabad. He was speaking at the launching ceremony of Khudi, a social movement of youngsters. The event also marked the launch of the movement’s magazine, Laaltain.

Morales, the founder of One Million Voices Foundation in Columbia, said that his country had faced similar problems as Pakistan at one time. “There was a time when Columbia, too, was termed as a failed state and everyone was waiting for someone to bring about a revolutionary change [but things are different now],” he said.

The opening ceremony was attended by a large number of students along with a few notable intellectuals including Khudi’s founder, Maajid Nawaz; Noman Benotman, former head of Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG); Oscar Morales, who organised the largest anti-terrorism demonstration in the world (12 million participants) through Facebook;  Hamid Mir, a famous journalist; and columnist Fasi Zaka.

Noman Benotman, the former leader of LIFG, said Pakistan’s situation is a result of its people being “silent spectators”. “I felt ashamed when I saw tight security at every nook and corner of Islamabad, a place [once] famous for peace.”

“Khudi is a vision for the betterment of Pakistan that aims to actively counter the spread of extremist ideology within the country. Its objective is to foster a culture of healthy debate within the country by encouraging the use of dialogue and discussion as primary tools for dispute resolution,” Nawaz said in his keynote speech.

He said Laaltain, the magazine, aims to provide a platform for young minds across the country to share social and political views. Khudi is a social initiative that boldly challenges extremist ideology while supporting democratic values advocated by Quaid-i-Azam, he added.

Nawaz said Pakistan’s deteriorating situation can be attributed solely to lack of national consensus over democracy. “Pakistanis are unaware of the fundamentals of democracy, its pros and cons,” he added.

He expressed concern over various extremist groups set up inside the country. “They have hijacked Islam, and we have to reclaim it.”

Fasi Zaka, speaking on the occasion, said that media lacks qualified professionals who, with their uninformed views, serve only to confuse people. “They should be held accountable for what they say on the media,” said Zaka. “We all have ideological bents but [our aired opinions] should be based on facts,” he stressed.

Ali Abbas Zaidi, a young social activist at the ceremony, said, “We need to look for common grounds to find solutions of the problems that are badly affecting the minds and lives of Pakistanis.”

Hamid Mir said, “Media in Pakistan is itself a victim of extremism.” He said there is an impression that Pakistan’s media is “free”, but that idea has been overestimated.

He added that 42 journalists have been killed by extremist groups in Pakistan in the past 10 years. “We need active participation and support of the youth to promote democracy and bring positive change in the country.”

A memorandum of understanding was signed between Khudi and youth groups.

Students at the ceremony expressed concern over the “severe identity crisis” in the country. They said the country is suffering due to lack of a powerful democratic institution, social welfare, security and, mainly, from lack of vision.

They demanded empowerment of citizens in taking active role in governance and that political processes should react directly to public concern.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11th, 2010.

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