Renowned educationist, Dr. Pervez
Hoodbhoy while outlining his vision for Pakistan exhorted
that all state institutions should work for the betterment of
citizens.
Delivering lecture on “Does Pakistan
Need a New Vision” here on Monday and a function arranged by
Centre for Civic Education to celebrate first ever International
Day of Democracy, Dr. Hoodbhoy said, “we have to re-think our
foreign policy and instead of adventurous desires we would have
to focus on our people.”
Tracing the evolution of secularism
in European context, Dr. Hoodbhoy said, we would have to
guarantee individual liberty, freedom and social justice. He
said we have lost many opportunities to emerge as a vibrant
nation, by pursuing irrational agendas on behest of others. He
stressed that all citizens should get their human and socio
economic rights. Dr. Hoodbhoy’s lecture was followed by
questions and answers about various aspects of Pakistani
society. He said institutions are more important than
powerful individuals.
Pakistan’s prominent human rights
campaigner, I. A. Rehman chaired the session and said, democracy
is the best system and its weaknesses should be addressed by
ensuring more democracy instead of derailing it. Earlier, Ishrat
Rizvi of United Nations Information Centre shared with the
participants the message of the UN Secretary –General issued on
the Day. Mr. Farhan Sabih, Assistant Resident Representative,
Governance Unit of UNDP, Pakistan also delivered a presentation
on ‘Democratic Governance and Human Development’. In his
presentation, he enlightened the participants with his views on
the role of a good democratic governance and human development
in the areas of economic and social sectors of a society.
Followed by his presentation two documentaries, entitled “March
of Democracy” and “Struggle for Democratic Pakistan” produced by
the Centre for Civic Education Pakistan were screened. The
Centre also distributed informative materials about democracy.Read
Material About Democracy Day
