KARACHI, Feb 13: The spirit of national unity is voluntary and should be advanced through consensus; however, the diversities and difference of opinion should also be given due importance.

These views were expressed by speakers at an inter-university dialogue competition, organized by Quaid-i-Millat Memorial Committee as part of birth centenary of Begum Raana Liaquat Ali Khan, here on Monday evening.

A panel comprising Mehfoozun Nabi Khan, Mohammad Aslam Punja and Dr Azra Sarwar Channa conducted the dialogue, which was attended by the nominees of nine varsities from all over the country.

The speakers were of the view that an independent judiciary, equality before law, respect for institutions, provincial autonomy and the establishment of a ‘welfare state’ played a significant role in maintaining national unity.

The speakers paid glowing tributes to Begum Raana Liaquat Ali Khan. In a resolution they demanded to grant the Raana Liaquat Ali Khan College of Home Economics the status of a varsity, issuance of commemorative postage stamp, naming of roads, parks and study centres after her name.

Fazal Chandio of the Sindh University participated in the dialogue and suggested recognition of various languages being spoken in the country as Pakistani languages and not just regional languages along with Urdu.

He criticized former president Ayub Khan’s decision of moving the federal capital from Karachi without popular support.

Muneeb Tariq of Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology was of the view that diversity should be coupled with integrity. He stressed the need for removing of disparity in the society.

Hamdard University’s Noor Ali Baig said youth were the focus of the future, and they should be provided adequate facilities to utilize their talents.

Faisalur Rehman of the Pakistan Study Centre noted with concern the government’s stress on the construction of Kalabagh Dam by ignoring the objection of the people’s of the rest of the three provinces.

Syeda Ayesha Anwar observed that most of the successive rulers neither accepted the ground realities nor objective conditions while taking an important decision. She further emphasized for building a great degree of confidence between the government and the people.

Aniqah Rais, Atif Hussain and N.A Channa also spoke on the occasion.—PPI