Anti-terrorism policies have started paying dividends: Marriyum Aurangzeb

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb on Friday said that the implementation of the anti-terrorism policies through the efforts of the government, cooperation of the provincial governments, sacrifices of the armed forces and the people of Pakistan, have started paying dividends.

Speaking on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Bahaullah, organised by Lok Virsa, the information minister said that due to terrorism the culture of intolerance had also taken roots in the country in the past 30 to 40 years.

She said that due to the vision of the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, the country was again emerging as a cradle of peace and people belonging to all religions and fraternities were living in the country with pride.

She also said that Pakistan was fighting a war of perception and passing through a very difficult phase, therefore, all of us had to fight this war collectively as a nation and emerge triumphant. We have to correct our behavior and fulfil our duties in individual capacities in order to achieve these goals, she added.

Moreover, Marriyum said that malice, hatred and jealousy could destroy any society, while adding that the national identity of Pakistan could be presented before the global community in a better way through heritage, culture, music, films and literature.

She said that 60 per cent of our population consisted of youth who were the future architects of the nation and needed to be guided in the right direction by eliminating the culture of intolerance first.

The minister said that she was immensely pleased to participate in the event organised as part of the 200th anniversary of Bahaullah, who during his entire life disseminated knowledge and taught good conduct to the people. She said that Bahaullah believed that all the religions were leaves of the same tree and any harm inflicted on the tree would also harm the leaves.

She also said that the country was witnessing a revival of arts, literature, culture and heritage as all were seen regaining their lost glory. She informed the audience that on the completion of 70 years of independence, special ceremonies had been initiated, through which the information ministry would extend its outreach to all corners of the country. We would achieve this task with the help of Pakistan Television, Radio Pakistan and Lok Virsa, she added.

On the occasion, Lok Virsa Executive Director Dr Fauzia Saeed said that the entire nation shared the festivities with the Bahai community.

Later, Bahai Movement secretary general said that Bahaullah was born in the royal family of Iran in 817 and throughout his lifetime he delivered the message of love, mutual respect and helping others to gain happiness.

During the event, artists from Gilgit Baltistan, Hunza, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir enthralled the audience with folk songs of their respective regions.