ISLAMABAD, NOV 25 /DNA/ – The kind of socio-political polarization, toxicity and utter lack of tolerance being witnessed in the society today – where we have stopped listening, rather listen to attack – is increasingly and alarmingly becoming a political and social culture. This deadly mix also takes a devastating toll on the social capital, and has repercussions for the economic output of the country.

These remarks were made by Dr. Huma Baqai, Rector, Millennium Institute of Technology and Entrepreneurship (MITE), Karachi, during the Sindh Chapter of Paving Pathways to Social Cohesion – Faculty Members Workshop Series, organized by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) at and in collaboration with MITE.

She further said that unfortunately, Pakistan today has become a country which is suffering from brain drain, much more than it has ever experienced in the past due to disillusionment among youth so much so that they don’t see a future for themselves in the country.

In this entire scenario, there is a huge onus on faculty members – given their youth outreach potential – as nurturers and mentors to sow seeds of peace in the minds of the young people who will become the leaders of tomorrow. In a country like Pakistan where around 65 percent of the overall population is under the age of 30, such an intervention becomes ever more important.

While we are teaching skills and technology – as market needs, let us not forget teaching the lubricants as dire needs of the society for cohesion, where the lubricants are tolerance, inclusion, rule of law, equality and equity, and no society can grow without these lubricants.

Diversity is an asset the society needs the most. Only by equally accessible justice – to everyone regardless of individual identities/ backgrounds, can rule of law be upheld. In the endeavor to bolster women empowerment, it is extremely important to onboard and sensitize male members of the society.

Paving Pathways to Social Cohesion is a great initiative, in fact, couldn’t be timelier as this is the kind of lubricant that our society needs at this moment in time to peacefully and respectfully coexist and pursue shared goals of development and prosperity.

The workshop screened four original short films produced by the Center on the core values of social cohesion, where the participating faculty members representing different universities across Karachi actively and critically participated in the discussions had throughout the workshop.

 They said that while social mobility is about equal opportunity to every member of the society for growth and development, we should not selfishly pursue our dreams that it reduces space for others to pursue their dreams to avoid the paradox. Our best agency and opportunity to bring a positive social change is at home.

We should make no mistakes in attributing subjecting ideas to different social identities as it can have negative consequences. We must take the courage to speak about the issues though hard to speak about but so critical to the long-term peace and stability in the society. The media discourse and content must also be inclusive of the messages that promote harmony and mutual respect. Young generation is highly malleable, and not necessarily resistant to good messages, they just need good guidance.

ISLAMABAD, NOV 25 /DNA/ – Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation and Social Security Faisal Karim Kundi today met a three-member delegation of KFW Development Bank at the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Security. Secretary PASS Mr. Fakhar Alam was also present on this occasion.

During the meeting, Special Assistant Faisal Karim Kundi told the mission that 69 billion rupees have been distributed to 2.7 million flood-affected families under BISP by the Government of Pakistan.

 While briefing about the various components of BISP, Special Assistant said that BISP is supporting pregnant women and children under two years of age in flood-affected areas with the support of WFP under the Nashonuma programme. 10000 scholarships have also been provided to deserving students under Scholarship programme.

KFW Technical Advisor Dr. Matthias Nachtnebel told the Special Assistant that KFW is working to rehabilitate people affected by climate change and natural disasters, and in this regard, the German government has assured financial support of 27 million euros.

Special Assistant Faisal Karim Kundi informed KFW Manager Health and Social Protection Ms. Anna Bryzoskaja Ms. Anna Berezovskaja that BISP wants to expand the scope of the BISP Nashonuma programme.

He said that cochlear implant surgery is also being done for deaf children through Health Protection Program with the support of Pakistan Bait ul Mal. KFW Mission appreciated the efforts of BISP for the welfare of backward classes and assured to work with BISP in future.

nterior Minister Rana Sanaullah Friday said PTI Chairman Imran Khan was fighting a losing war by blindly pursuing the ‘Haqeeqi Azadi March’ as it had paled into insignificance after the chief of army staff’s appointment.

“This is not an Azadi march but an anarchy-mongering campaign,” Sanaullah said, adding that this march will be used to spread hate in the country and “sabotage the democratic process”.

He urged the PTI supporters not to become complicit in an evil agenda by playing in the hands of the PTI chairman. “This march is also not in the interest of Pakistan; thus, people should not follow a path to the country’s destruction.”

“I again urge Khan to call off the rally that has lost its purpose,” the interior minister said.

PESHAWAR, Nov 25 (APP):A four-day training on “Harnessing Youth for Peace” was held at FATA University from November 21 to November 24 for 26 students selected from newly merged districts of the province.

The event was an initiative of the Higher Education Regulatory Authority (HERA), Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, supported by Community Resilience Activity–North (CRA-N), USAID, and implemented by International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Students from Kurram, Orakzai, Khyber and North Waziristan and 24 faculty members of FATA University attended the event.

The keynote speakers of trainings were Rashad Bukhari, Kayenat Hameed Khan, and Mufti Asad Gul. Their hands-on training sessions were focused on civic engagement and community resilience themes including tolerance, critical thinking, leadership, conflict resolution, and positive social action.

This will help the young generation to break down existing negative stereotypes approach resulting their positive engagement in society, they said adding that only educating youth could help to cope up with the post violence scenario and would also play an important role in the reconstruction of the society and improving the quality of life.

The closing ceremony was graced by Dr. Fazl e Qadir, Chairman, HERA, Prof Dr Muhammad Jahanzeb Khan, Vice Chancellor, FATA University, Dr Yasir Kamal, Member, HERA.

The Vice Chancellor in his speech emphasized on the fact that this initiative of empowering and engaging youth would develop strategic network and opportunities for collaborative working on peace building.

Dr. Yasir Kamal, Member HERA added that by establishing synergies of collaboration between young students could result in an understanding of diversity, exchange of knowledge, networking, and best practices in society.

The chief guest distributed certificates among the participants and nine shields among the three best performers of each session.

                ISLAMABAD, Nov 25 (APP):A solo show of exquisite calligraphic art pieces will be on display here on November 26 by artist Shehla Tiwana at Islamabad Art Gallery for art lovers.

Based on medium of oil on canvas, the art pieces carry Islamic Calligraphy in vibrant colors and patterns that are eye catching and soul soothing.

“I feel that I was born with a passion for colors and an innate aesthetic sense. My late father was also an amazing sketch artist. Seeing him with paper pencil was more than enough to make me discover my inborn passion at the age of five. Later I found my mentor, Sir Saeed Akhtar, he made me the painter I am today. He fine-tuned my arty instincts and encouraged me to experiment with different subjects like nature, portraits, history, animals, calligraphy. My work explores universal values of love, life, faith, prayer, beauty, and the divine that synthesizes feelings and pictograms through lettering,” said Shehla about the work.

“I feel an artist is not about just being a painter, my art is evident in whatever work I do. I learned photography from well-known American photographer Malcolm. Whichever field of work I did, be it photography, makeup or dress designing, my core aim was to deliver something artistic and stylish.  I firmly believe that such a creative mind, talent that can actually cover so many fields and it is purely a gift of God,” she said.

She has been doing different subjects mostly horses and flowers however now she is more focused on doing Islamic calligraphy, she believe Islamic calligraphy is not like ordinary writing meant for ordinary communication, it beautifies the creator’s revelations with colors and writing. Her painting is in two steps, she first makes the background with oil and with colors, and then comes the calligraphy, synchronizing the meaning with colors. “I wish beauty exists in my paintings which can make emotional and spiritual bonds between the viewers,” she added.

                ISLAMABAD, Nov 25 (APP):Minister for Defense Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Friday said flood victims should be compensated timely and without any prejudice.

Responding to a point of order on the floor of the National Assembly, he made it clear that neither the federal nor the provincial governments were distributing flood relief goods on the basis of party affiliation.

The minister said if there was any sort of distinction in some areas, it should be sorted out on priority adding that he would bring the matter into the limelight of the federal cabinet to address the grievances of the respective colleague of the house.

He also mentioned that because of the winter season, it would be quite difficult for the flood victims to spend nights under the open sky.

He said it was the responsibility of the government to provide them shelter before the temperature reaches freezing point.

The government also had given a package for farmers, particularly in those areas which were severely affected by the monsoon rains and flash floods.

He said the government had very limited resources but despite that, it was financially stretching other institutions to provide relief to the flood-affected people.

The minister also lamented that it was the flaw of our political culture that the candidate of the winning party was provided the funds for development schemes while the candidate of the opposition party was not entertained equally.

He said he had experienced this biased practice during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government which did not provide even a single penny to the members of opposition benches because of that the people of their constituencies were deprived of the development work.

He said this political flaw should be eliminated and every member of this august house should be treated equally.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Hashim Notezai of Balochistan National Party proposed that the government should provide timely compensation to the farmers.

He said the farmers should be given leverage in case of electricity bills and they should be facilitated by solar panels to meet their electricity needs.

He said the flood-affected people should be provided cash so that they could build their houses as early as possible.

On this occasion, Ghous Bakhsh Mahar of the Grand Democratic Alliance expressed his grievances on the delay in providing relief to the people affected by the monsoon rains and flash floods, particularly in Sindh.

He said the government had announced a Rs 5,000 subsidy per acre to the farmers but they had not paid yet.

He pointed out that the people were forced to live miserable life under the open sky.

He urged the government to release funds to the flood victims as soon as possible so that they could arrange something for their shelter, especially in this extreme winter season.