‘Fostering tolerance key to lawful society’

Workshop on peace and social cohesion held

The Interfaith Harmony Conference organised by Auqaf, Hajj, Religious and Minority Affairs K-P concludes. PHOTO: FILE

Social intolerance poses a formidable challenge to the rule of law and this can only be remedied by cultivating tolerant attitudes in society, characterised by respect for and acceptance of different and diverse opinions besides the celebration of diversity.

This was expressed by Peshawar Operations SSP Zahoor Babar Afridi during a workshop organized by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) in collaboration with Iqra National University in Peshawar on Tuesday.

Afridi said that people must know about the rules and regulations to uphold the rule of law in the country.

Being a responsible citizen, he explained, demands strict adherence to and promotion of rule of law for the democratic development of the country.

The biggest challenge to rule of law, he said, was social intolerance. Fortunately, he said that this can be ameliorated by cultivating tolerant attitudes in society.

Iqra National University Vice-Chancellor Dr Farzand Ali noted that with over 60 per cent of the overall population still young, the country presents a great opportunity for development and prosperity.


He continued that educating the youth on ideals of respect and equality can foster social cohesion and create a critical mass for peaceful coexistence.

The academic fraternity, he said, has a responsibility to produce well-informed and responsible citizens capable of not only fulfilling what the market needs but also meet the peace and cohesion needs of the society.

Dr Aamir Raza, from the University of Peshawar’s (UoP) Political Science Department, explained that real democracy is about inclusion, transparency, consultation and accountability.

Good governance, he said, is about the efficient use of resources in addressing the issues of public concern.

Educationist Shagufta Khalique said that the universal declaration of human rights resonates with the core constitutional values of the country about fundamental rights available to the citizens.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 25th, 2019.
Load Next Story