KARACHI, March 13: The need for more effective UN role in reducing tension between India and Pakistan was emphasised in a seminar on international security issues here on Wednesday.
In the context of post-September 11 developments, the wisdom of punitive reprisal attacks, in which the whole community is targeted, was also questioned in the programme, which was organized by the Legal Pool and the Public Affairs office of the US Consulate at its premises.
While dealing with measures on reducing tension in South Asia, Dr Khalida Ghous of the University of Karachi said the UN needed to redefine its role in de-escalation across the globe.
She emphasized the need for sustained efforts by the world community, particularly the USA, to compel India to hold talks with Pakistan.
Dr Khalida emphasized the need for taking innovative measures to resolve the contentious issues and was supportive of various initiatives taken by the military government in Pakistan vis-a-vis India, which, she said, indicated a willingness to address the core issue in a non-traditional manner.
Leading lawyer Barrister Farogh Naseem said the Sept 11 events had led to a chaotic decision-making by the West. “Refugees, immigrants and asylum-seekers have been targeted without any justification,” he observed.
He talked about reduction in grant of visa by the USA to 26 Arab and Muslim countries and adverse treatment meted out to foreigners, students, workers and refugees.
He referred to the adoption of “united and strengthening America by providing appropriate tools required for intercepting terrorism acts 2001”, whereby wives and children of persons classified as terrorists could be detained due to familial ties.
He said it was about time to realize that the international community could not be viewed in compartments, no matter how strict the border controls were made; volatile situations were bound to boomerang and spill over countries, affecting people who may want to keep aloof.
The CPLC chief, Jameel Yousuf, spoke on the role of NGOs in combating urban terrorism. He emphasized the importance of community participation in policing and the need for police reforms.
He referred to cyber crimes and the misuse of mobile phones to create terror and expressed concern over the poor conviction rates.
Ghazi Salahuddin said due to Sept 11 incident there had been a setback to the press freedom and human rights. Referring to dangers to which journalists were exposed, he mentioned the kidnapping of Daniel Pearl and believed that the role of journalists in the present environment had changed in which the reporters were taking sides, instead of remaining impartial.
Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid, who presided over the programme, addressed the issue of delay in deciding the cases. He asked whether it was only the judiciary to be blamed or the police, the government and the people also had their shares in it. “If a witness does not come forward, how can the court give a verdict,” he remarked.
He referred to 38 million pending cases in India with a six per cent conviction rate. He said it was time that people with wisdom came forward to decide what should be done about the judicial system.
Justice Zahid also referred to the general perception in the Third World that the war on terrorism was being used to stifle fundamental rights. He said punitive reprisal would be counter-productive.
