LAHORE: Participants in a conference have urged the teachers and students to play their role to eliminate violence and to promote peace, harmony and unity for the progress and integrity of the country.

The conference on “Peace, harmony and nationalism” was organised by Punjab University in collaboration with Centre for Health and Gender Equality (CHANGE) at Faisal Auditorium on Thursday.

Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) chairperson Prof Dr Nizamuddin, PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zakria Zakar, ex-foreign secretary Shamshad Ahmad, Gomal University VC Prof Dr Muhammad Sarwar, senior journalist Iftikhar Ahmad, CHANGE director Mumtaz Hussain and students were present on the occasion.

Dr Nizam said political intervention should be ended to ensure autonomy of universities. He said the universities should organise co-curricular activities at every department to utilise the positive energies of the students for betterment of the country.PU VC Dr Zakria Zakar said: “Peace is the name of harmony among living beings and mutual respect of others’ ideology, religion, gender, ethnicity etc. Disgracing ideas of others is not peace.”

He said the administration had adopted zero tolerance policy in the recent incident of violence at PU and action was taken against the violent elements.

Shamshad Ahmad Khan said interior and foreign policies were required to be amended to build a harmonious Pakistan.

Students also shared their views about their experiences of participation in different activities promoting peace during “Inspiring the future project.”

A documentary containing different activities of students e.g. seminar, dialogue, painting, walk, role play, quiz, signature campaign and short interviews of faculty members was exhibited.

The students pledged that they would expand the peace movement outside the university and play their role as peace ambassadors. Later, souvenirs were distributed among the distinguished participants.

Published in Dawn, March 23rd, 2018