Literary Conference: ‘Capitalism causes hardships for workers’

All Punjab Adabi Conference held on Monday to mark the 82nd birth anniversary of Dr Ayub Mirza.

LAHORE:


Speakers at the All Punjab Adabi Conference held on Monday to mark the 82nd birth anniversary of Dr Ayub Mirza criticised capitalism for its exploitation of workers.



They said that over production of goods in capitalist economies caused wars and mass killings. Dr Rawish Nadeem, a writer, criticised TV and newspapers advertisements and said that these had blurred the distinction between peoples’ needs and desires. Nadeem said people had been possessed by these ads. Talking about ‘Should art be for life or for art’s sake?’ Saleema Hashmi read an article by Faiz Ahmed Faiz. She said she felt scared when she read newspapers reports about Pakistan becoming a great nuclear power. She said that instead of aspiring for a great nuclear power, the country needed to focus on producing great human beings.

Salmaan Taseer’s son, Sheheryar Taseer, said the mass media needed to show more responsibility. He criticised the manner in which his father’s assassination was covered in media without any concern for the family. Taseer said the country’s economy could only improve if more foreign investment could be attracted.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 24th, 2011.
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