KARACHI – A new social and political contract between the State and provinces is the need of the hour and the only way out of the myriad of societal problems that afflict the country today, claimed political leaders, intellectuals and civil society representatives at a seminar organised by the Indus People’s Forum on Sunday titled ‘Survival of the State: Ideology, Economy and Governance’.
“Religious extremism is being patronised within Pakistan,” said National Party leader Senator Mir Hasil Bizenjo in his address, adding that Pakistan can only survive if matters of foreign policy are transferred from army headquarters to the parliament. The Defence ministry should not work under the army, but the parliament.”
Prominent intellectual and columnist IA Rehman said that political parties must strengthen themselves and play their role to make the country a State in the real sense. “Pakistan has failed to be a State in the real sense since 62 years and is still not certain about its ideology,” he said, adding, “The worst step that has been taken so far is to merge religion with the politics of the country. The State has been fighting a war against its own people since its creation.”
Rehman said that the provinces have no authority and the Establishment needs to hand over the country to its people. “Only politics can pull out the country from the crises it faces and political parties need to reach out to the people for this purpose,” he added.
PML-N leader Ghous Ali Shah said that Pakistan was created through a political struggle and can only remain intact if political parties are strong. “Dictators have created so many problems for the country. The real power rests with the masses and every province has equal rights,” he added. PPP Senator from Balochistan Lashkari Raisani said that those who repeatedly bring dictatorship in the country must be punished.
Former federal minister Iqbal Haider said that the Establishment, with the support of the rulers, is trying to create a sectarian divide in the country. “Religion is not the only tool that can keep a nation intact. Nowadays, a minority of religious extremists want to dominate the majority using guns,” he added. Awami Tehreek President Ayaz Latif Palijo said that the current leadership of the PPP is exploiting the resources of Sindh. “The recent floods have ended the landlords’ control over the people of Sindh and their decision would be very different in the next elections,” he added.
