Need to change behavior for better HR conditions: Khalil Tahir Sandhu

Lahore: Punjab Minister for Human Rights and Minority Affairs Khalil Tahir Sandhu has said that to ensure provision of human rights to various segments of society, we need to change our behavior and legislation only would not change state of affairs. He was addressing a seminar organized by Punjab University Department of Social Work in collaboration with Human Rights & Minority Affairs Department and Child Rights Movement (CRM) Punjab at Al-Raazi Hall here on Wednesday.

Acting PU VC Prof Dr Muhammad Ehsan Malik, Dean Faculty of Behavioral & Social Sciences Prof Dr Muhammad Zakria Zakar, Incharge Department of Social Work Bushra Naheed, Asst Professor Sonia Omer, Dr Bela Raza Jameel, Ramesh Singh Arrorra, MPA Kanji Ram, Iftikhar Mubarak, Advocate Asad Jamal, Members Provincial Assembly Punjab, CRM representatives, faculty members and a large number of students were present on the occasion.

Addressing the ceremony, Khalil Tahir Sandhu said that it was our collective responsibility to resolve issues with mutual understanding and we must understand each other. He said that according to teachings of Quran Pak and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), no priority was given to anyone on the basis of color, race, caste etc. He said that Punjab government was making all-out efforts to provide basic rights to the women and a bill had recently been passed in Punjab Assembly for provision of property share of women on priority. He said that opinion of as many as 25,000 women would be included in major decisions to be taken regarding women’s affairs. He advised the students to play active role in creating awareness among people regarding human rights.

Acting Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Ehsan Malik said that it was the best strategy to live for others and we must try to become the best human being. He said that Allah had directed us to take care of rights of human beings as well as of animals. He said that there must be a strong relationship between government policy making institutions and academic institutions for true development of society.

Dr Zakria Zakir said that it was the time to come forward and do something practical for improving situation of human rights in the country. Parliamentary Secretary for Labour Mian Naveed said that previously, laborers were not able to get marriage etc grants in 4 years but now the system had been computerized and laborers were getting grants within 90 days. He said that charity began at home and we must change our home first to bring change in the society.

Dr Nasira Iqbal said that on the occasion of international day of human rights, it was a matter great honor and utmost importance that Mala Yousafzai was receiving Nobel Prize. She said that it was the basic responsibility of the state to provide food, shelter, health, education etc to its people. She said that there were a number of violations of human rights in Thar and Balochistan and the government must take appropriate action to curb problems in this regard. She said that minorities played important role in the establishment of Pakistan and now they rights must be looked after.

Addressing the ceremony, Ramesh Singh Arrorra said that he did not believe in the word minority and he believed that we all were Pakistanis first and green passport was our common identity. He said that change could occur through change in behavior, not through the protests. MPA Kanji Ram said that the number of universities in Japan was greater than the universities in all the 57 Muslim countries. He said that it was only education which could improve our situation.

Dr Bela Raza said that we must promote tolerance in the society and respect each other’s belief. Bushra Naheed, Aliya Khalid, Iftikhar Mubarak, Asad Jamal and others also addressed on the occasion. Later, shields were distributed among the participants.