The Judges Panel comprised of Dr. Abdul Aziz Sahir, Chairman Deptt of English, AIOU, Professor Sibghat Ullah Khan Head Deptt: of English, Islamabad Model College For Boys (IMCB), G-11/1, Miss Saima Rashid, Lecturer, Deptt pf English, Islamabad Model College for Girls (IMCG), F-10/2, Islamabad and Mr. Adnan Qureshi, Lecturer, Deptt: of English, COMSAT university, Wah Cantt.

In English competition, the first prize win by Mr. Hamza Khan, from Air University, Islamabad, the second prize win by Miss Paris Jabeen, from National University of Modern Languages (NUML) and the third prize win by Mr. Muhammad Tayyeb Anwar from the Foundation for the Advancement of Science & Technology (FAST).

In Urdu competition, the first prize win by Anas Ahmad from International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI), the second prize win by Mr. Uzair Khan from Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) and the third prize win by M. Haq Nawaz Mughal from the University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK). The institution wise first prize wins by Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS).

Speaking to the students at the prize distribution ceremony, Professor Fateh Malik said that speech competition will enable students to achieve courage and ability to present and express themselves in front of others. Professor Malik appreciated the efforts of Higher Education Commission in promoting the Curricular and extra curricular activities among the students in Pakistan.

Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik, Rector, International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI) addressing a seminar on “A Dialogue on Allama Iqbal & Quaid-e-Azam’s Vision of Pakistan” at IIUI. Prof. Dr. Sahibzada Sajid-ur-Rehman, Vice President IIUI, Dr. Khalid Masood, Director General IRI, IIUI and Dr. Safeer Awan, Student Advisor IIUI are also seen in the picture

Mr. Riaz Fatyana said that it is a matter of great pleasure to announce that today the senate has passed National Commission Bill for human rights in Pakistan. He said that democracy is the government of the people and the rights of the humans should be the priority of the democratic government. He further said that the government is working to implement the laws to ensure human rights in Pakistan.

Mr. Zulfiqar Cheema said that it is the responsibility of the state to protect the violation of human rights in every field of our country. He said that corruption is the major element which causes violation of human rights in Pakistan and the only way to refrain from corruption is the fear of Almighty Allah. He further said that the teachers & parents have great responsibility to make collective efforts to change the corruption culture in Pakistan.

Miss Nadia Raja said that the human rights portrayed in the Holy Quran as the fundamental rights of all human beings and Islam is the only religion which gave human rights to the people. Mr. Shafique Choudhry said that the society should establish standards of human rights on individual and collective basis which are essential for the development of every nation and society.

Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad said that if we observe the responsibility behind the rights given to us by our Almighty Allah, then there was no chance that someone can snatch those rights by any mean. He said that the western writers are agreeing upon this universal truth that Islam gave the best kind of human rights to the human beings. He further said that there were some questions on the World Liberal Theory of Human Rights as some other rights as social rights, rights of minority and community rights of the human beings. He added that the second question on the liberal theory was that some rights are absolute, e.g individuals cannot be tortured, and some were negotiable like the freedom of expression; the fundamental rights of every one, but one cannot shout in theatre or hospital instead he/she wants to express something. Dr Mumtaz further added that the power of the individuals determine their rights in most of the societies. He regretted that the western countries try to intervene in other countries on the basis of the enforcement of human rights under the umbrella of United Nations and NATO. At the end Dr. Mumtaz presented university crests to the guests of the seminar.

Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad, President of the International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI) and Dr. Tahir Mansoori, Director General, Shariah Academy of IIUI addressing the concluding ceremony of the training course for Muftis organized by Shariah Academy of the University.

Mr. Ata Ul Haq Qasmi said that Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi was a great poet, intellectual and lover of human beings and the gap left by his death could not be filled. Mr. Intizar Hussain said that Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi was a man of great caliber and personality. He said that his death created a huge gap in the field of urdu literature. Dr. Anwar Ahmad said that Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi was a progressive, intellectual, great journalist, a man of commitment and remained committed through out his life to his principles. He said that Professor Fateh Malik in his book “Nadeem Shanasi” has excellently presented Ahamd Nadeem Qasmi as a great poet of Urdu Literature. Professor Fateh Malik said that Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi played a pivotal role in projecting the problems of the people and that of the society. He said late Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi was a great poet and national asset. Professor Fateh Malik presented university crestss to Intizar Hussain while Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad presented university crest to Ata ul Haq Qasmi.

He added that people of Dr. Ansari’s caliber cannot be termed as retired and therefore the university has made him Professor Emeritus to keep benefiting from him. The lunch ceremony was also addressed by Senators Prof. Khursheed Ahmad, Raja Muhammad Zafar-ul-Haq, Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad, President IIUI and Dr. Sahibzada Sajid ur Rehman, Vice President IIUI. They congratulated Dr. Ansari on becoming Professor Emeritus of the university. They also appreciated the IIUI Rector, Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik for setting up of a new tradition by giving status of Professor Emeritus to an academician in recognition of his meritorious services.

Dr. Qamar-ul-Huda said that the secularization theory of 1950-60 have very small space for religion. He considered women as agent of change. In Dr. Huda was on the views that the religion is back again to attract the society. He considered that perfection practices are security, discovery and self criticism and we should give priority to these practices in our lives. He added that Islamic studies are different in various countries, unlike Christianity and Jewish studies. He further added that the religion should play role for the conflict resolution in the society. Dr. Huda said that the deep sense of tolerance is not only to live with but to appreciate and encourage others.

Dr. Junaid Ahmad said that Muslim world is considered as cheap restaurant in the eyes of west and United States. He said that Islam is the only religion in the United States which is observed in their foreign policy. He added that inter religion dialogue is become important to create inter religion solidarity and peace. He further added that the Muslims should be more engaged in the active social movements.

Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad said that corruption is the main element that should be tackled in all ways of our life and eradication should be started from the grass root level. Elimination of corruption is very important in social and economic development. He said that first of all we should celebrate Pakistan’s achievements that we are World Champions in Cricket, Hockey, Squash and Snooker on the other hand we have also a 5th championship in Corruption as well. He told that in recent world reports four countries are the most corrupt in the world which includes Indonesia, Nigeria, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

He gave an example of financial corruption in the regime of US President Regan in which 800 million dollars were looted from the fund of widows and orphans and no money was recovered from this financial corruption, although US has such huge agencies to stop corruption. In Pakistan “Transparency International” is creating awareness through Media and by their own company. He further added that although NOGs are playing a leading role in creating awareness but a preventing role should also be played.

Dr. Zia ul Haq said that history tells that messages of peace and harmony are issued from the Islamic civilization only. He said that base of Islamic Civilization is neither sword or military but it based upon honesty and faith.

Prof. Qaiserah Mukhtar Alvi said that corruption is a threat to our environment, it facilitates environmental destruction. Corrupt countries may formally have legislation to protect the environment; it can not be enforced if officials can easily be bribed. She too endorsed the message of Ban-ki-Moon which he delivered on this very day in 2010 that “ on this International Anti-Corruption Day, let us pledge to do our part by cracking down on corruption, shaming those who practice it and engendering a culture that values ethical behaviour”.

Speakers said that corruption is a major threat that poses grave challenges for the socioeconomic and political development of a country. Corruption happens to be a very complex phenomenon to be tackled with. There are so many forms of corruption like political, moral and financial corruption. Financial corruption is basically the result of moral corruption. Corruption is promptly devouring not only the ethical, moral values and principles but it has a great impact on politics, economy, humanitarian air, areas of health, public safety, education, trade and environment as well.

Speakers highlighted that Pakistan has some of better trained bureaucracy in the world. We do have a well established structure to control and combat corruption, but some of the rules and regulations need to be further impartial to make them more working. Values of honesty and integrity must be adopted to control corruption. Whole nation is actually looking towards youth as youth is being considered the only light in dark arena. Youth is important as it is the future and administration of country is going to be in hands of youth. The institutions must have faith in youth because the establishment of a Corruption-Free society can not be accomplished without the help of youth. Women play an important role in the war against corruption as they are considered the roots, messengers and representative of any society. It is encouraging that segments of society are ready to join hands in fighting this important internal battle.

At the end Director Female Campus presented the souvenirs to the speakers.

Talking to the President of IIU in Qum at the Foundation for International Education and Research, Ayatollah Aamli sent his greetings to the intellectuals, scientists and religious leaders of Pakistan “who are exerting great efforts toward the development of their nation” and hoped that their contributions in science, technology and Islamic thought will be available to other brotherly Muslim countries as well. “I hope and pray that the tomorrow of the great and noble nation of Pakistan will be better and brighter than today,” he said.

Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad conveyed the greetings of Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik, Rector, IIU and of the university community and assured the host that the IIU will not lag behind in pursuing the goals of Muslim World unity that was the hallmark of his Foundation for International Education and Research. Referring to some recent developments in Pakistan and Iran, Ayatollah Javadi Aamli said: “While Islam teaches us not to oppress others, it also teaches us not let others oppress us.”. Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad is currently visiting Iran in connection with an International Conference in that country.

Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik said that all languages spoken in Pakistan are national languages of Pakistan but “Urdu” is a language of collective communication. He said that all the languages were created by almighty Allah for the wellbeing of humanity but we made them a sign of proud for us which cause Anarchy and war between the societies.

He further said that “Urdu” is proud to be considered as the language of Pakistan Movement and people from Khyber to Karachi and Sylhet during the struggle of Pakistan Movement used it as a language of communication.

Dr. Sahibzada Sajid Ur Rehman said that the writers have a great responsibility to work for the Muslim Ummah and provide suitable solution of the day to day problems. He said that we should avoid all political and personal affiliations to work only for the betterment of our country. He advised the young writers that they should project thoughts of Iqbal in young generation whose theme is “Ishq-e-Muhammad” (P.B.U.H) because our new generation can only be linked with our forefathers through Ishq-e-Mustafa (P.B.U.H).

Some of the participants also expressed their views regarding the training programme. At the end Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik and Dr. Sahibzada Sajid Ur Rehman distributed certificates among the participants.

Mr. David enlightened that the story of any nation can not be explained without any historical backdrop particularly a new one like Pakistan. He said that in case of Pakistan the literature through its appearance during the freedom movement highlighted the saga of Pakistan. The germs of extreme nationalism based on religious norms, social set-up, quest for freedom protection of cultural & traditional heritage described with defined reasoning. However, the post-partition literature deals with the socio-political, ideological and ethnic problems of Pakistani society. He further added that it is essential to make the distinction between literal and exemplary memory as the first subordinates the present to past while the second allows the past to be exploited in the present. He elaborated that cultural identity is always a function of social relations and struggles of families offer the reader a personal perspective with which to consider issues of cultural identity on a large scale. So, history can be taken as narratives of nation and families said Mr. David.

Prof. Qaiserah M. Alvi expressed her deep gratitude to the guest and presented the university souvenir to him. Chairperson English Department, Dr. Munawar Iqbal Gondal welcomed the guest scholar. He said that such presentations will highlight the significance of literature in history of Pakistan.