Minister of State and Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Marvi Memon said on Sunday that great Sindhi poet Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai’s message of peace, tolerance and women empowerment was universal in its reach.
She expressed these remarks while speaking during a ceremony of peace festival 2016 at the City Hall in London, as chief guest together with Member of the British Parliament, Rt Hon Stephen Timms. The event celebrated the poetry and sufi teachings of the famous Sindhi poet and saint, Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai.
Speaking at the event, the minister said that Latif Sarkar’s message was more relevant in this day and age, when terrorism and intolerance have polluted the quest for prosperity, said a press release.
She emphasized that the message must be spread across geographical, cultural, religious and political divides to truly achieve a progressive society. She also highlighted the importance of connecting Sufi silsilas of Pakistan with those abroad as well as more inter provincial exchanges on same.
The minister also highlighted Bhittai’s message on women empowerment. She noted that the sufi poet explained his philosophy in Shah jo Risalo through the courageous lives of women such as Marvi, Moomal, Sorath, Sassui, Noori, Sohni and Leila. She said that her work as the Chairperson of BISP, follows the philosophy of Bhittai, by providing women financial assistance, inclusion, empowerment and dignity.
She also thanked the prime minister and finance minister for giving her the opportunity to serve the people of Pakistan, particularly the vulnerable women.
Minister of State and Chairman BISP Marvi Memon is on a 3-day official visit to the United Kingdom. In addition to attending the peace festival, the minister will also visit the Oxford University and hold a roundtable discussion at the International Institute of Strategic Studies (ISS) in London.
