KARACHI: The murder of Shahzeb Khan, Mashal Khan, Zainab, and many other faceless names is an indicator of how intolerant Pakistani society has become, particularly the youth. This was highlighted at a dialogue programme titled Promoting tolerance in youth held at Ziauddin University on Tuesday.

Barrister Shahida Jamil was of the opinion that education was the key to a tolerant society. She highlighted example after example from contemporary time and history where intolerance had led to the decline of great empires.

“There was time in Pakistan when politicians and influential people were targeted; doctors and educationists threatened and murdered. There was silence then and now that hatred and intolerance has reached our doorstep. Now all of us are vulnerable.”

Students advised to focus on learning at every stage

The only way, she insisted, out of this darkness was through education. “Reading, writing, researching; real education is the way forward and to eliminate intolerance in society.”

Vice Chancellor of Ziauddin University Dr Pirzada Qasim spoke about the need for all factions of society, including students, to help reduce the level of intolerance, anxiety and frustration from society. It was also the responsibility of the religious scholars to educate the people on the subject of tolerance and acceptance on a daily basis, he added.

“It is appalling that in our country more than 20 million children do not attend school due to which the rate of illiteracy is extremely exorbitant which is significantly increasing the wave of incitement and deprivation in society,” he said.

He also advised the students to actively participate in creating awareness in their social circles, families to focus on education and learning at every stage.

Clinical psychologist Tayyeba Kiran was present to explore the contributing factors towards intolerance in society in which the youth today was unwilling to accept any behavior that went against what was generally accepted or the norm. The concept that intolerance merely manifested itself in the form of violence, extremism or aggression, was a fallacy, she added.

“The expression of intolerance in society takes varied forms and it is essential to identify these. Anxiety in our youth, depression, self-harm and suicide are some such manifestations.”

Also the assistant director at the Institute of Learning and Living, she spoke about psychosocial factors that contribute towards intolerance. And in this process, identifying the role of parenting is essential.

“Parenting is a science and is pivotal in educating the children in the right direction. When personalities are developing there are many influences but the one at home is the first and foremost influence,” she said.

Expectations of parents also need to be carefully dealt with when communicated.

“Also from the very initial stage of infancy, parents should teach their children how to control the anger and must refrain from comparing the ability and skills of their children to that of any other relative or friend child, as this will certainly create the element of frustration or lack of enthusiasm in the child. So it is better to instill optimism and assurance among adolescent at every stage.”

The overwhelming need to be respected in youngsters is ever present and this is sought from the home, peers as well as from educational institutions. Thus teachers should also try to develop such a healthy environment where students should be well aware of stress management and its consequences, she explained.

Founder chairman of Youth Parliament Rizwan Jaffar spoke about how the youth could actively promote tolerance in society by accepting different values, perceptions and beliefs. However, he said, the role of the government was lacking in this regard as it had not been able to set a high standard and in most cases was completely absent from the civic and social environment we live in.

As a result there is a consistent increase in social injustices and discrimination, thereby increasing intolerance in society.

The main thrust of the dialogue was to promote education in society and also teach the youth healthy ways of self-expression, which will help combat maladaptive behaviours, including intolerance.

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2018