RAWALPINDI: No society in the world can flourish without brotherhood, equality, justice and mutual respect.

This was pointed out by Special Representative for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Hafiz Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi while addressing participants of a debating competition held at Arid University.

Social, educational and cultural activities continued at the university on the fourth day with enthusiasm. Vice chancellor of the university Prof Dr Qamaruz Zaman, faculty members, notables, civil society members, journalists and students in large numbers were present.

Mr Ashrafi said Pakistan was created after a long struggle by our forefathers and we should cherish it. We should do whatever it takes to bring it safety and dignity, he added.

Sultan Ahmed Ali, prime minister of Junagarh state said that he is very happy to hear speeches of the youth and has a firm belief that the future of Pakistan is very bright.

Terming the session as “the best and unique way to build moral values of the students” Dr Zaman said that every person in Pakistan is running towards worldly education due to which we are moving away from Islam and its teachings which covers and guides every aspect of our life.

He also asked the university administration to organise more seminars which would provide opportunities to students to learn about Islam.

Another seminar was held to shed light on the current food insecurity issue.

In his address, Prof Zaman said that the problem of food security has taken over the world and the situation in Pakistan is getting worse day by day.

If we do not take immediate steps to address this issue, in the future, hostile elements could take advantage of it and damage the country’s integrity, he said.

Later on, the vice chancellor of Hitech University Taxila Prof Dr S Kamran Afaq visited Arid University and inaugurated IT stalls installed by students and members of the industry.

Dr Afaq appreciated the university’s efforts towards quality education and students’ active involvement in educational activities and said that this type of enthusiasm and passion among students will play an important role in future development of the country.

A flower exhibition arranged by the university’s Horticulture Department was inaugurated by director general of Parks & Horticulture Department Asif Mehmood.

In the ceremony, the DG appreciated efforts of the department and said that PHA Rawalpindi is working hard to beautify the city and efforts and inputs of the university’s students are needed desperately which was assured by the university’s vice-chancellor.

Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2021