‘Peace impossible without teacher-student nexus’

Speakers urge universities to promote harmony for national unity

LAHORE: Academics, thinkers and security experts have stressed on teachers and students to play a vibrant role in minimising intolerance in society. Speakers also stressed the need to promote peace, harmony and national unity which would eliminate violence and guarantee Pakistan’s progress and integrity.

They were addressing a one-day conference on “Peace, Harmony and Nationalism” which was organised by the Punjab University, in collaboration with Centre for Health and Gender Equality (CHANGE), at the varsity’s Faisal Auditorium.

Addressing the conference, Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) Chairperson Dr Nizamuddin said there must not be any political intervention at varsities and the autonomy of institutions of higher learning must be ensured. Lauding the charged crowd, he said co-curricular activities must be organised in every department of every university to provide a platform to students so that they could utilise their energies positively. “Inter-personal communication of teachers and students is the most effective way to remove differences and promote harmony. The peace drive initiated by Punjab University College of Earth and Environmental Sciences (CEES) and CHANGE must continue,” he added.



In his address, Punjab University Vice Chancellor Dr Zakria Zakar said the absence of war does not mean there was peace. “It (peace) cannot be achieved easily,” he added. “Pakistan has been facing terrorism for the past many years and there is a need to focus on social ingredients and action plan for establishing peace.” He said peace was the name of harmony among living beings and mutual respect of others’ ideology, religion, gender, ethnicity etc. He was of view that disgracing other’s ideas is not peace.

“Universities are places of knowledge and reasoning. Knowledge and violence are contrary to each other and that’s why both cannot coexist.” Dr Zakar said in the recent incidence of violence at PU, the administration adopted a zero-tolerance policy and took unprecedented action against the violent elements. “When knowledge takes root in us, we will become torchbearers of diversity of thinking and we can guarantee coexistence,” he remarked.

Former foreign secretary Shamshad Ahmad Khan reasoned that Pakistan’s interior and foreign policies require amendment which has now become essential in building a harmonious Pakistan. He said it was time to unite the youth for the formulation of effective and transparent policies.

Security expert Major-General (retd) Zahid Mubashir said internal threats being faced by Pakistan were more powerful than external threats. Gomal University VC Dr Muhammad Sarwar also endorsed the strong role of universities in restoring peace and harmony in society.



Analyst Salman Abid was of the view that the media should play a genuine role in spreading the agenda of tolerance and harmony in society and try to negate the argument that the media itself was promoting intolerance and extremism.

CEES Principal and Focal Person for Inspiring the Future project Dr Sajid Rashid Ahmad highlighted the success and impact of the project and appreciated the efforts being done with students by the university administration and CHANGE team. He said as many as 50 events had been organised. He said students from Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, FATA and Azad Kashmir were taking part in the event which gave a strong message of harmony.

A documentary containing different activities of students such as seminars, dialogues, paintings, walk, role play, quiz, signature campaign and short interviews of faculty members was exhibited on the occasion. Students also shared their views about their experiences of participating in different activities promoting peace.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23^rd, 2018.