Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khusheed Shah Thursday urged the people to develop positive attitude to defeat the extremist mindset.
Addressing a round table on “Culture of Tolerance: Reviving the Indigenous Narrative”, he said media has to play a proactive role as the fourth pillar of the state in ending the tendency on intolerance from the society and promotion of tolerance.
He urged the media to discuss real national issues like economy, environment and water scarcity in the prime time shows. Khursheed Shah said, ‘We need to revive the policies of tolerance in politics’. He said racism was biggest reason of intolerance in the society.
He said before 1977 Pakistan used to be a tolerant society where all lived peacefully. Khursheed Shah said the tolerance was dependent on the political system of a country and dictatorial rules created the tendencies of intolerance. He said the continuation of democratic system was vital for ending the divisive mindset from the society and promote the culture of tolerance.
Former MNA Bushra Gohar said the murder of Mishal Khan in Mardan University was a warning for the entire nation how narrow minded we have become. She said some elements were maligning Malala Yousufzai.
MNA Aasia Nasir said Pakistan was a peaceful society but due to certain reasons it was radicalized and incidents like Kot Radha Kishen, Gojra and Mardan University have become common. She said Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s speech in the constituent assembly on August 11, 1947 and his 14 points were the real national narrative.
She said Pakistan suffered after the nation had deviated from the teachings of the Quaid. She called for revolutionary changes in the educational curriculum which she opined was responsible for radicalization of the society.
PML-Q leader Saeed Mandokhail said media should play constructive role and highlight positive developments of the society.
NICS Chairperson Rubina Khalid said it was responsibility of all stakeholders to come forward and promote the real national narrative.