Pakistani society is diverse society: Sardar Mohammad Yousaf

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Mohammad Yousaf on Tuesday said Pakistani society was a diverse society where people from different backgrounds were encouraged to play positive role for the betterment of the society as a whole.

He was addressing as Chief Guest at the launching ceremony of Tolerant Pakistan Media Network, a forum to motivate journalist community to promote tolerance in the society through their writings, TV shows and blogs, said a press release.

The contribution of prominent parliamentarian Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, for this initiative, was widely appreciated on the occasion.

Dr Ramesh Vankwani, in his opening remarks, said tolerance had direct link with peace and prosperity. He said ensuring a peace loving tolerant society was our collective responsibility and in this regard, team work should be encouraged.      He also announced to nominate Sabah uddin Qazi as the focal person for the Tolerant Pakistan Media Network.

"If you take a look at the logo of Tolerant Pakistan Media Network, you will see that whatever I am saying is reflecting there as well," he said.

People having diverse backgrounds are shown in the logo with joined hands with a purpose to work together for the betterment of Pakistan.

"We highly regard the presence of different ambassadors including EU, Belgium, Mauritius, Azerbaijan, and Russia who are here to share their experiences of achieving tolerant societies in their respective countries", he said.

Dr Ramesh Vankwani urged the need to strengthen cooperation with media and academia. He announced to organize a series of seminars and workshops in different universities with the collaboration of HEC on the issue of tolerance.

A good number of Vice Chancellors belonging to different universities were also present.

As far as media community is concerned, if you are columnist, kindly write at least one column in a month. If you are a reporter, please try to find a story to file in a month. If you are TV anchor, please have a talk show in a month on the issue of tolerance," he said, while adding that "This is how we can struggle together to fulfil our dreams to ensure "Tolerant Pakistan", according to the Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah's speech on August 11, 1947."

EU Ambassador Jean -Francois Cautain, while welcoming the initiative, said urope had a bright track record of promoting tolerance and positive values in the society.

He said the European Union consisted of 28 member states and any kind of discrimination in Europe was strictly forbidden. He said people to people contacts and mutual understanding could be beneficial to change the hostile mindsets.

Highlighting the cultural diversity, he said quality education, respect of human beings, social justice and tolerance were key factors of European society.

He also highlighted the need of journalist training and exchange programs, which according to him, could deliver positive results to build a tolerant society.

Chairman HEC Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, in his address, emphasized that intolerance was not only limited to Pakistani society but it could be observed in other parts of world as well.

He urged the need to promote education for tolerance with a focus on young generation who were future of our country.

He was of the view that kids want attention by parents and thus, parents and teachers must be role model for our youth.

Executive Director Lok Virsa Dr Fouzia Saeed in her speech emphasized that our folk arts and tales were based on humanity, tolerance and positive values.

Various distinguished participants from different segments of society also exchanged their views on the occasion.