ISLAMABAD: Calling national institutions the pillars upon which the affairs of state run, members of the Institute of Policy Studies’ National Academic Council (NAC) on Tuesday expressed concern over the ongoing friction among state institutions.
NAC is an assembly of eminent experts, intellectuals, scholars and academicians belonging to diverse range of disciplines and having nationwide representation, brought together by Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad.
The IPS meeting was addressed via audio link by Professor Khurshid Ahmad, former senator and chairman IPS, and Fasih Uddin, former chief economist, Planning Commission of Pakistan.
The meeting was attended by Saeed Ahmed Qureshi, former deputy chairman, Planning Commission; former ambassador Shamshad Ahmad Khan; former secretary foreign affairs; Masud Daher, former federal secretary and ex-chairman, National Tariff Commission; Riyazul Haque, former additional secretary; Mirza Hamid Hasan, former secretary water and power; Mufti Muneebur Rehman, chairman, Ruet-e-Hilal Committee; Maulana Zahid ul Rashdi, secretary general, Pakistan Shariat Council; Dr Hasan Sohaib Murad, the University of Management and Technology (UMT) rector; Professor Dr Anis Ahmad, vice chancellor, Riphah International University; Air Commodore (r) Khalid Iqbal, and IPS Executive President Khalid Rahman.
Professor Khurshid stressed the need for finding ways to foster and bolster national unity. “Pakistan was founded as a result of a democratic struggle. The country now faces several challenges. Finding a way out of these crises is only possible when the individuals as well as institutions play their part and make concerted efforts in this regard,” he said.
“While making national decisions and devising policies, all stakeholders should keep the national interests upfront as policies should be made with comprehension of ground realties and understanding of one’s objective and not in duress,” he said.
He said that protection of Pakistan’s ideological identity, safeguarding of its independence, self-reliance and public welfare as some of the areas around which the framework of national policies should be formed.
Shamshad, Hasan, Rashdi and Iqbal echoed each other’s opinion upon the fragility of national institutions urging for strengthening of political, domestic and institutional systems through capacity building and infusion of inter-government harmony to ensure stability.
Rashdi and Iqbal, along with Dr Anis, also expressed concern over national segmentation on various levels, including social, regional, political, cultural and sectarian divide. They urged the government to take measures to instill harmony among these different factions of the nation.
Qureshi and Riyazul Haque were critical of the current economic policies adopted by Pakistan. Qureshi pressed for revision of free trade agreements the country had signed off late. He was of the opinion that such agreements were useful when there was trade balance among the parties.
Fasihuddin and Murad stressed on the need of taking measures for developing homegrown scientists – both in the fields of social and technological sciences – by allocation of sufficient funds and resources, if we are to find solutions to our problems indigenously.
Mufti Muneebur Rehman highlighted the negative role of media that only paints of a picture of despair and gloom, advising it to rather play a productive role that fosters nation-building and promotes the national narratives.
He highlighted the fast declining moral standards of society – a matter that was also pointed by Professor Khurshid earlier – stating that the reflection of this downfall could easily be seen in the areas such as affairs of the state and the role the country’s media was playing.
The scholars stressed the need for taking on-board likeminded organisations as well as individuals from various segments of society in an attempt to make concerted efforts to raise the ethical and moral standards in the country.
Published in Daily Times, October 11th 2017.
