Participants discussed the role of non-Muslims and decried their lack of representation at all levels. DESIGN: SUNARA NIZAMI
The workshop, organised in the city by ‘Punjab Lok Sujag’, was addressed by influential political and social figures. Speakers were of the view that by representing every section of the society and highlighting crucial issues, the media can help build a society focused on devising ways to bring about solutions to most issues.
Harun Lal, a social activist representing Hindus, said there is a need to curb discrimination against religious minorities in political, social and economic circles of the country. “Hindus have no schools in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa where they can send their children for education, no retirement homes for senior citizens, or orphanages,” he added, while stressing non-Muslims should be treated as equal citizens.
The social activist was of the view that the media can play a burgeoning role in highlighting issues effectively, and getting non-Muslims access to their constitutional rights.
Another social activist representing Christians, Romana Bashir claimed non-Muslims are not being given enough coverage in the media.
Romana said non-Muslims did not even have representation in the all-parties conference.
Senior journalist Shamim Shahid said the media is passing through an evolutionary phase and, in the process, is in itself faced with issues. However, he accepted the media has a certain role to play in the society and added journalists are leaving no stone unturned in fulfilling their responsibilities.
Pakistan Peoples Party Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) leader Zulfiqar Afghani said after decades of struggle, civil institutions of the country have started gaining strength which will propel society towards a vibrant democracy. However, he added the media is plagued with the state of affairs whereby certain quarters still try to influence its trajectory so only their own viewpoints come across.
Former K-P information minister and a leader of the Awami National Party, Mian Iftikhar Hussain concurred the media can only be expected to fulfil its obligations once the issues it faces are resolved. He acknowledged media persons risk their lives while performing their duties in the region.
The minister also dwelled upon the issue of law and order in the region and opined there could not be a more dangerous circumstance than the possibility that certain factions in the parliament sympathise with terrorists.
The ANP leader also criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led provincial government by saying they did not block Nato supply routes in Balochistan where the supplies still pass through and asked the leadership as to why they ignored setting up sit-ins in Karachi or in Punjab while only blocking routes in K-P, which is worsening the economic situation of the country.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 5th, 2013.
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