ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb on Friday said the implementation of the anti-terrorism policies had started paying dividends. She said efforts of the government, cooperation of the provincial governments, sacrifices of the armed forces and the law enforcing agencies and the people of Pakistan had benefited the country.
She said a culture of intolerance had taken roots in the country due to terrorism in the last 30 to 40 years. The minister was speaking at 200th birth anniversary of Bahá’u’lláh, organized by Lok Virsa.
The minister said due to the vision of the former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, the country was again emerging as a cradle of peace and people belonging to all religions and fraternities were living in the country with pride and celebrating their festivals unhindered.
The minister said Pakistan was fighting a war of perception and passing through a very difficult phase which meant all of us had to fight this war collectively as a nation. She said we would have to correct our behaviour and do our duties in individual capacities without raising fingers towards others. She said malice, hatred and jealousies could destroy any society.
Marriyum said our national identity could be presented before the global community in a better way through heritage, culture, music, films and literature. She said sixty per cent of our population consisted of youth who were the future architects of the nation and needed to be guided towards the right direction by eliminating culture of intolerance.
Marriyum said she was immensely pleased to participate in the 200th birth anniversary of Bahá’u’lláh, who during his entire life disseminated knowledge and taught good behaviour to the people. Marriyum said Bahá’u’lláh believed all religions were leaves of the same tree and if the tree came to any harm, all the leaves would be affected.
The minister said the country was witnessing a revival of arts, literature, culture and heritage and playing fields were regaining their lost hustle and bustle.
The Ministry of Information and its attached departments including PTV, Radio Pakistan and Lok Virsa were ensuring the outreach of these programmes to all corners of the country, she said. She said Lok Virsa was striving hard to groom talents of the youth.
Lok Virsa Executive Director Dr Fauzia Saeed said the entire nation shared the festivities with the Bahá’í community. Bahá’í movement secretary general said Bahá’u’lláh gave the message that one should seek happiness by joining the happiness of others.
Artists from all provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir and Hunza enthralled the audience with folk songs of their respective regions.
Published in Daily Times, October 21st 2017.
