Pakistan set clear cut strategic direction: Karamat

Ambassador Jehangir Karamat on Saturday evening said Pakistan had set a clear cut strategic direction for itself based on moderation, democracy, stability, viable economy, prosperity and rapid social uplift. "It is a constant path on which we are moving, and there is no reason that we achieve remarkable results."
Speaking at a special function held in connection with celebration of 58th anniversary, before a packed audience of Americans, Pakistani community and second generation Pakistani Americans, he said some visible signs of improvement had come to the fore.
He, however, said one could witness transitory hurdles, but as long as the strategic goal was clear, the movement would continue to be in right direction and that was happening now.
It was a commendable sign, he said that the strategic direction of Pakistan was clear and expressed the hope that Pakistani Americans knew fully well about these set goals.
The other speakers, on the occasion, were Dr Akbar Ahmed, Zeenut Ziad and Salman Ahmed.
On madressahs, the Ambassador said efforts were vigorously underway in Pakistan to bring them into mainstream education system. He referred to his recent meeting with educationist, Dr Karim, whom he quoted stating that madressahs were a very old tradition in an Islamic society like those in Christianity and that these used to be centres of learning and excellence in the past.
However, it was during the British colonial rule in the sub-continent that the whole character of madressahs was changed to a deliberate level, because they wanted schools of a different class. They relegated madressahs to purely religious teaching- reduced their whole scope and potential."
Today, he stated that Pakistan was trying to do was not to finish madressahs but to bring them into mainstream education system.
Ambassador Karamat described the Pakistani Americans as 'high achievers' and thanked them for turning in large numbers in functions organised by the Embassy, including today's special event to celebrate Independence Day of Pakistan.
The Ambassador said it was time to confront reality, rather than to pass it on to others.
He talked of element diversity in Pakistan and the observation that it was important to understand that and one should not base his judgement on what a small segment of Pakistani society did, "but, we must look at its rich diversity."
On the occasion, a music concert was also held in which Salman Ahmed of Junoon presented national songs.
Later, the participants visited the elaborate Art Exhibition, which was a major event of the Independence Day celebrations.
The visitors, who included a large number of American art fans, praised the high professionalism of the accomplished contemporary Pakistani painters.