Around 1,000 youths from various parts of the country participated in the day-long activities held on Wednesday to mark the International Youth and Minorities Day.
The event held at the Alhamra Cultural Complex was organised by the Punjab government in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Umeed Jawan and Bargad.
The participants passed a unanimous resolution, calling on the government to honour the national heroes belonging to minorities.
“Our state needs to recognise the contribution made by its minority citizens and showcase them as national heroes. We must celebrate their services in the school curricula to show the strength of diversity in Pakistan,” the resolution stated.
Participants at the event perform traditional dances, set doves free and release balloons. PHOTO: SHAFIQ MALIK/EXPRESS
Folk dances and theatrical performances were also staged at the event along with debates about the environment and social issues, including extremism.
Addressing the participants, Education and Youth Affairs Minister Rana Mashood said the government wanted to bring youth and minorities in the mainstream of social life. “Y1outh can play an important role in the society. This is something we are working on.
The government is promoting policies to explore the potential of youth and offer them opportunities that can help them contribute to the country’s progress,” he said.
Bargad executive director Sabiha Shaheen said that such events would be arranged every year to commemorate and highlight the role of Pakistani minorities and the youth.
“This will help us in promoting peace by bringing various communities together,” she said.
Muhammad Saboor of Umeed Jawan said that there was a lot of potential in the Pakistani youth. “There is a need to channelise it through constructive activities and platforms,” he said.
Parliamentary secretary for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Khalil George said that the youth was a driving force for economic and social progress. “Such events should be held in other provinces of the country as well. The youth can express their ideas and enhance their skills by using such platforms. We want a revolution in the education sector,” he said.
Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Kamran Michael criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf. “Freedom doesn’t come through sit-ins and long marches. There is a long struggle that is associated with the pursuit of freedom,” he said.
He said that awareness should be raised among the youth to help them explore and utilise their potential.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 11th, 2014.
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It was a confused event arranged by the Punjab government with a certain bias in mind. The word minority was echoed with respect to so called Ethnic minorities and Religious diversity was almost absent. The most shunned Minorities of Pakistan ( Hindus and Ahmedis ) were virtually non existent. Also no event was arranged to show the audience that apart from Chirstians and Muslims other Religions exist in this world as well. It is a shame to the Original Minority events celebrated around the world. It was Another Publicity stunt with Obvious Religious Bias and nothing else. Diversity was also appreciated in this event but it was reminded by the Majority that Diversity in terms of Language and culture is the only diversity that exists in this world.