Activists demand new ‘social contract’
Aman Ittehad calls for radical transformation at the state level.
ISLAMABAD:
Hundreds of delegates from across Pakistan attended the Aman Ittehad National Convention on Thursday at Lok Virsa in Islamabad and called for the constitution of a new “social contract” between the people and the state. They said the country needs to transform from a “security state” into a “true welfare state”.
A number of artists, including Arieb Azhar, performed at the gathering to give a message of unity and integration to those deprived of their basic human rights.
The national convention was the culmination of a series of provincial conventions and public dialogues held in March under the auspices of Aman Ittehad in Punjab, Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir to debate various aspects of a new social contract.
A large number of students, teachers, lawyers, journalists, political leaders, labourers, businesspersons, and human rights activists participated in the convention. Discussants expressed grave concern over the volatile situation prevailing in the country and stressed the need to formulate a new “social contract” that could help Pakistan shift to a true welfare state.
“Kidnappings, target killings, and kill and dump practices have become the order of the day, besides other continued social injustices. These practices are weakening the very foundation of the federation,” commented Hassan Ali, a participant, while showing his concern over the country’s present shaky situation.
He said that a true welfare state ensures speedy and cheap justice and guarantees protection of basic human rights. “Unfortunately, the state has done nothing in this regard,” he remarked.
Another unanimous opinion that emerged from the discussion was that the demand for creating new provinces was not illogical but should be done by duly incorporating the wishes of the respective regions. “We support the creation of Seraiki and Hazara provinces,” they said.
They also demanded that the people of Federally Administered Tribal Areas be treated as equal citizens of the country and stressed that the Political Parties Act should be implemented in the tribal region, as, in their opinion, it would help bring its people into the political mainstream.
Ali Asghar Khan, coordinator of Aman Ittehad’s national secretariat, said that people were no longer willing to remain on the sidelines and silently suffer violence. He called for the introduction of reforms that could turn Pakistan into a welfare state, ensure governance as well as dispensation of justice besides equal employment opportunities. “We believe that peace will remain elusive until fundamental changes are instituted,” he maintained.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 02nd, 2011.
Hundreds of delegates from across Pakistan attended the Aman Ittehad National Convention on Thursday at Lok Virsa in Islamabad and called for the constitution of a new “social contract” between the people and the state. They said the country needs to transform from a “security state” into a “true welfare state”.
A number of artists, including Arieb Azhar, performed at the gathering to give a message of unity and integration to those deprived of their basic human rights.
The national convention was the culmination of a series of provincial conventions and public dialogues held in March under the auspices of Aman Ittehad in Punjab, Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir to debate various aspects of a new social contract.
A large number of students, teachers, lawyers, journalists, political leaders, labourers, businesspersons, and human rights activists participated in the convention. Discussants expressed grave concern over the volatile situation prevailing in the country and stressed the need to formulate a new “social contract” that could help Pakistan shift to a true welfare state.
“Kidnappings, target killings, and kill and dump practices have become the order of the day, besides other continued social injustices. These practices are weakening the very foundation of the federation,” commented Hassan Ali, a participant, while showing his concern over the country’s present shaky situation.
He said that a true welfare state ensures speedy and cheap justice and guarantees protection of basic human rights. “Unfortunately, the state has done nothing in this regard,” he remarked.
Another unanimous opinion that emerged from the discussion was that the demand for creating new provinces was not illogical but should be done by duly incorporating the wishes of the respective regions. “We support the creation of Seraiki and Hazara provinces,” they said.
They also demanded that the people of Federally Administered Tribal Areas be treated as equal citizens of the country and stressed that the Political Parties Act should be implemented in the tribal region, as, in their opinion, it would help bring its people into the political mainstream.
Ali Asghar Khan, coordinator of Aman Ittehad’s national secretariat, said that people were no longer willing to remain on the sidelines and silently suffer violence. He called for the introduction of reforms that could turn Pakistan into a welfare state, ensure governance as well as dispensation of justice besides equal employment opportunities. “We believe that peace will remain elusive until fundamental changes are instituted,” he maintained.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 02nd, 2011.