KARACHI, March 27: Speakers at a seminar on human rights and mass awareness stressed the need to promote tolerance in the society.

The seminar was organised here on Wednesday by NIPA as part of its 73rd advance course in the public sector management. Director NIPA, Kamran Aslam Khan, speaking on the occasion, said that in this age of technology and rapid material development the touchstone of human rights remained valid for judging the standing of a nation in the civilised world.

He said that the bigotry, closed-mindedness and intransigence were the formidable roadblocks on the path leading to respect of human rights and a vibrant society.

He urged the participants to ponder on the ways and means to promote the use of “reason” in our intellectual conduct as a nation. He opined that one major factor responsible for the personal evils was the “absence of reason” in our intellectual pursuits, showing itself in a very low degree of tolerance in our society.

Justice (R) Ghous Mohammad discussed the issues related to Juvenile delinquency, gender justice and rights of minorities.

Dr Asad Saeed of the Social Policy Development Centre expressed his views on the international and national labour rights and their violation in the Pakistani society.

Dr Khalida Ghaus referred to the plight of women in Pakistan, female bondage and women prisoners. She pointed out that education could play a significant role in uplifting the status of women in our society.

Dr Syed Jaffar Ahmed said that academic institutions played a pivotal role in the society and human rights should become the essential component of the academic curricula at all levels. Chief coordinator of the seminar, Amjad Saqib, spelled out the objectives of the seminar.