Roundtable conference: ‘Security state should be made a welfare state’

Babar says it is a positive sign that for the first time, the Parliament has emerged as an institution

ISLAMABAD:

Speakers at a roundtable conference agreed that the time is ripe for the development of a national character in accordance with principles given by Quaid-e-Azam to address political, social and economic challenges.

Riphah International University organised the conference on “Pakistan’s political turmoil and the way forward” on Wednesday at its campus in Islamabad.

Addressing the seminar, PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar said the greater threat was not of lack of security but lack of public welfare. He said the failure of the government was not only the responsibility of the military but also of the political leadership. “However, this time the threat of a fifth marshal law is overshadowed by taking of a strong stance by parliament to strengthen the current political system as well as the civilian government,” he said, adding that it was a positive sign that for the first time in the history of Pakistan, the Parliament has emerged as an institution.

Talking to participants of the seminar, PTI MNA Ali Muhammad Khan said their party’s struggle is not only to acquire power but also for a positive change in society. Riphah International University Vice Chancellor Prof Anis Ahmad highlighted the various ways to tackle the prevailing political turmoil.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23^rd, 2014.