Living in harmony: ‘KIU should research on sectarian violence’

It will bring an end to sectarian violence and enable people to fight out such evils: former Punjab governor.

GILGIT:

Former Punjab governor Khalid Maqbool has said that Karakoram International University (KIU) should conduct research to analyse the causes of sectarian violence in the region. “This will [help] bring an end to sectarian violence, and enable people to fight out such evils from the society,” he added.

Maqbool, who was on a visiting trip to the university, advised KIU Vice-Chancellor Dr Najma Najam to introduce more subjects in the university in minerals, power and tourism, as they were relevant to Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B). He said G-B had a lot of potential in these sectors and the university should introduce appropriate programmes to make the best of these resources.

“The university should play its role in enhancing the capabilities of people so that they can keep up with rest of the world,” he remarked.

During the visit, Najam told Maqbool that the establishment of a community college and a medical college at the university is under consideration. She said the administration is in contact with various national and international organisations for the project. She added KIU has arranged counselling sessions for students to help them cope with chaos and disorder in society.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 25^th, 2011.