ISLAMABAD, Sept 4: Pakistan has been facing multi-dimensional problems such as sectarianism, communalism and tribalism which need to be addressed through a multi-pronged strategy.

These observations were made by Lt General (retired) Kamal Mateenuddin, while highlighting internal security issues at a conference ‘Pakistan’s internal challenges and response’, organised by Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI).

The retired general said that no country was without internal conflicts but the nature of the problems in other countries was not what Pakistan had been passing through: religious, sectarian, communal, tribal.

He said that the country demanded establishment of the writ of the state across the country, rule of law, governance and drug control.

Intolerance in all terms has reached the tipping point. He was of the view that every citizen irrespective of faith or religion should have equal rights in the country.

Should follow the rules and laws and develop not only at the individual level but also at national level, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ijaz Shafi of Gallup Pakistan said that Pakistan had become a nation state that came into being in 1947. Its international borders are secure.

He added that misbalance between a mobilised society and an immobile structure of state was growing where Pakistan was failing in its state structure.

Prof Dr Naheed Zia Khan, Dean Faculty of Law, Commerce, Management and Administrative Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women University, spoke on the security, governance and economic problems of the country.

She focused on psychological, social and political factors behind the poor economic condition of Pakistan. “We need to internalise discussions on our problems.

The profound intellectual discussions that are taking place in the English language press must be made inclusive, by transmitting the same to the Urdu language which has grass-root level readership. She pleaded for a uniform education system and levelling the wage differentials.

She said that there was no freedom of expression in the country as fear suppressed the expression of progressive ideas.

She emphasised that unless people were unable to discuss issues freely, there could be no solution.

She said Pakistan also needed a ‘glasnost’ for its development and progress.

In concluding remarks, Dr Nuri, acting president Islamabad Policy Research Institute said: “First Pakistan than anything else, we want Quaid’s Pakistan.”