My Little Dreams

SDPI held a Monday Seminar on “Increase in Violence: Factors and Actors” It was held on July 23, 2007 at 1600-1800hrs.Venue:    SDPI, #3 UN Boulevard, Diplomatic Enclave-1, G-5, IslamabadThere are three speakers who spoke on the topic.       First speaker is Harris Laeeq who was also presiding the seminar. He said that increase in present violence in the country was because of following main four reasons. Education system, he said that not only Madrassas but our whole education system is not up to the mark. Curriculum is not met with our needs. Justice system,  Foreign policy, he said that not only the foreign policy of Pakistan but also the foreign policy of India is an actor of violence in our country. Weaponization, another actor he discussed is weaponization from Karachi to Chitral.     

The next speaker was Mr. B.A Malik (former ambassador, professor).He started his speech by saying that “I will speak not like interior decorator but like a fire-brigade man”Then he pointed toward the mother of all actors and factors. But before going in derail he defined terrorism. According to him,

“Use of weapon to achieve political objectives”           

 He said that how west has double standards regarding definition of terrorism. I.e. once Usama bin Laden was a Mujahid, Kashmiries were freedom fighters and Nelson Mandela was a terrorists. But definition has changed which shows double standard of west. They use terrorism according heir own interests.              

 Then he rose a question that why people commit violence? In order to reply he said 54 out 60 years, Pakistan has been directly or indirectly ruled by army. Therefore people was oppressed which lead to violence.         

 Then he gave suggestion that there should be across the board, a national conciliation on the base of South Africa. In the end he concluded that there should be agreement on the basics than disagreement on others then it would grow us.        

Mr. Muhammad Akram Zaki, (former sectary general Foreign Affairs,vice president PMLQ), the last speaker delivered with the statement that “terrorism is the child of injustice”.       

 He said that injustice is one of the main cause o f the terrorism. He said that in British colonialzed America, if we see John Washington who use force to get freedom was also a terrorist.        

He said that he did not agree with the actor mentioned i.e. education system, he argued that even highly educated persons were involved in terrorist activities like seven-seven incident, He also differed with the definition of Mr. B.A Malik, he defined terrorism as, 

“Use of force to frighten and cause damage of innocent people”      

 Then he explained the historical background of terrorism. He mentioned that in 1972, UN underwritten a treaty against terrorism but there was no concuss on the definition and those who are fighting for freedom are exempted. UN was restricted to root cause of terrorist activities from 1972-1989. But after 1989 especially after 1991 there was a turn. It was that the exemption mention above was excluded. He then told that essence of civilization is use of force for rule of law.  

      

 Then he mentioned two major incidents. First was the Vietnam War (Feb 1979) and second one was Iranian Revolution (December 1979). These two incidents were the major reasons of Soviet invasion in Afghanistan.   

   Here he also pointed toward Palestinian issue; he said that young Arabs were brought here to fight against Soviet In order to divert attention of Arabs from intifada in Middle East.              

    After disintegration of Soviet Union, the global balance turned, but what was left here i.e. weaponization and drug introduction. America thought that it was a project but for Muslims youth it was a matter of faith, they only learned that how to use a gun. At the end no attempt was made to retain of or provide employment them.    Now it is important that why these factors are magnifying. It is for two main reasons, first is to resist China and the second is to prevent Muslims to grow. He further said that empire building want to separate Pakistan from China. Special groups are trained in Afghanistan to target Chinese in Pakistan. In the end he said we facing a great crises so all the political parties have to join. At this time, national unity is essential.

   Then questioning-answering started. Mr. Akram Zaki while answering a question said that before independence we have a nation but without a country but after independence we have a country with out a nation.  I asked Mr. Akram Zaki, sir ask your general to go back into barracks and give us our country we will give a nation, second part of my question was that Musharraf is propagating the idea all over the world that world should see the root cause of global terrorism. On the other hand he asked the nation to help him against the terrorism. So why don’t he come in front of   people of Pakistan and told them the root cause of terrorism in Pakistan.   

Concluding Remarks:         

     Harries Laeeq concluded that there was no concuss of participants on the issue.          

   Mr. B.A Malik said that dictatorship cannot fight terrorism. Dictatorship promotes terrorism.          

  Mr. Akram Zaki said in his concluding remarks that SDPI is doing good job for growth of democracy.