Condolence reference: Speakers for zero tolerance towards extremists

NP remembers Sobho Gianchandani, Peshawar school victims.

ISLAMABAD: Politicians and civil society activists have demanded action against all extremist outfits to create lasting peace not only in the country but also in the whole region.

They were speaking at a condolence reference for veteran communist leader Comrade Sobho Gianchandani and to remember the Peshawar school attack victims here on Thursday.

The event, organised by the National Party (NP) Islamabad chapter, was addressed by the party’s President Senator Mir Hasil Bizenjo, human right activists and intellectuals.

NP President Senator Hasil Bizenjo said that the state should show zero tolerance towards terrorists for creating sustainable peace in the region.

“We should also adopt a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of our neighbouring countries,” he emphasised.

Development expert and writer Naseer Memon said that Sobho sb was among the few personalities who remained committed throughout his life to progressive ideals and love for humanity.

He decided to stay in Pakistan after partition while people forced him to leave the country, he said.

“People like Gianchandani and GM Syed struggled to promote harmony among different ethnic groups through their writings.

Memon, who is chief executive of SPO, said that the country was already passing through a critical phase and the Peshawar incident left the whole nation in a state of shock.

“We will have to deliberate on the point that how we can steer the country out of this quagmire,” he said.

“There are still some people who are not ready to condemn the terrorist attack at Peshawar school, which is painful,” he said. The state should give such people a clear-cut message that such double standards were not acceptable.

He also blamed the imperialist powers for nurturing terrorists in the region to counter the defunct Soviet Union. He said that now these powers have created another monster [IS] in the Middle East, which has become a threat for global peace.

Dr Nazir Mehmood and Adam Malik said that there was a need to translate the works of Gianchandani in Urdu and English and included in the history books.

National Party Punjab chapter President Ayub Malik and general secretary Dr Yasin stressed the need for separating religion from politics for ensuring peace in the country. They also said that the state should treat all the citizens and nationalities equally.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 19^th, 2014.