ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khurshid Shah has urged people to develop a positive attitude to defeat the extremist mindset.

Speaking at a roundtable session on “Culture of tolerance: reviving the indigenous narrative” on Thursday, he said the media should play a more proactive role as the fourth pillar of the state in efforts to eliminate intolerance from society and promote a more tolerant attitude.

He added that the media should focus on real national issues such as the economy, environment and water shortage.

Mr Shah said that there was a need to revive the culture of tolerance in politics. He claimed that racism was one of the reasons why intolerance had grown in society.

According to the opposition leader, before 1977 Pakistan used to be a more tolerant society where everyone lived peacefully.

He said tolerance was dependent on the political system of a country and dictatorial regimes led to intolerance. He added that continuation of a democratic system was vital to remove the divisive mindset from society.

Former MNA Bushra Gohar said the murder of Mashal Khan in Mardan was a warning sign for the entire nation because it showed how narrow-minded people had become.

MNA Aasia Nasir said Pakistan was once a peaceful society but due to certain problems it had been radicalised and incidents like those taking place in Kot Radha Kishan, Gojra and Mardan had become common.

She said the Quaid-i-Aza­m’s speech in the Constituent Assembly on August 11, 1947 and his 14 points were the real national narrative.

Ms Nasir called for revolutionary changes in the educational curriculum which she claimed was responsible for radicalisation of society.

Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s Saeed Mandokhel said the media should play a constructive role and highlight positive developments in society.

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2017