LARKANA, Jan 17 The pen has always educated, empowered and enlightened people, but when in the hands of dictators and despots, it has played havoc with the life of nations.

This was stated by students at a debate on “Pen is mightier than sword”, organised by Knowledge Centre here on Sunday.

They said the society where the pen was held in high esteem became democratic and tolerating, but the sword suppressed people who aspired for knowledge and wanted reason to flourish.

They said that though the pen wielded real power, the sword was another instrument of power. The weapon of the leader was pen and not the sword.

Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Iqbal and other leaders had used the pen in fight for freedom and they did not look to the sword for achieving the goal, they said.

The programme was presided over by Professor Dr Mohmammad Ibrahim Keerio, Principal of Shaheed Zulifkar Ali Bhutto Agriculture College, Dorki.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Keerio said that the pen was a symbol of knowledge and there were innumerable instances when using the pen even sons of farmers reached top positions and ameliorated the lot of their people.

Director of Knowledge Centre, Professor Mukhtiar Samo said opportunities should be provided to students to discuss such themes and reach the truth.

Barkha Tunio, Tahira Samo and Nazish secured the first, second and third positions. Urooj Arijo Mariam Samo, Humera and Poonam Dev got consolation prizes.