Violent extremism, existential threat to Pakistan: Solangi

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi on Wednesday said 16th martyrdom anniversary of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was a stark reminder that violent extremism, in its all manifestations, shades, colours, shrouds and ideologies, remained an existential threat for Pakistan. Using his X account, he said the war against terrorism and extremism, was the long one, “but we shall win it, Insha Allah.”
Earlier, Caretaker Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi on Wednesday met Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi. Provincial Information Minister Aamir Mir was also present on the occasion.
They discussed issues of mutual interest, solutions of media industry problems and initiatives for welfare of the journalist community. Murtaza Solangi appreciated the steps taken by Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi to execute and complete public projects at fast pace.
Earlier, Caretaker Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi on Wednesday said that research and pursuit of knowledge were imperative to overcome multiple challenges, currently faced by the country. Delivering the speech at Fourth Convocation of Information Technology University, he said nations did face challenges and Pakistan, with the grace of Allah Almighty, would also overcome multiple challenges being faced now. The minister said that a country could develop only through the acquisition of knowledge and education. Stressing the role of students in overcoming these challenges, he said it was necessary to end negative propaganda.
The motto of almost all the religions, was that humans should become good persons, Murtaza Solangi said adding that education promoted humanity and friendly attitude in the society. He said Pakistan was facing diverse, unprecedented and extraordinary challenges including economic crisis, intolerant and violent behaviour. He said every day, impacts of climate emergency were being witnessed by everyone in the country. He said another challenge was the diminishing hope in youth and younger generation. He said with the passage of time, traditions were fading away in the society.
Additionally, unbridled use of social media platforms has resulted in toxic, slanderous propaganda, full of lies and disinformation. He said it was unfortunate that those who upload total lies and fake information, get more viewers and and earn more money after monetization of their contents.
At the end, he read the prologue of a play ‘Exception in the Rule’ by German playwright Bertolt Brecht which elucidated the story of a rich merchant. In the convocation, 524 students were awarded degrees while five students were awarded PhD degrees whereas 16 students were awarded gold medals. Governor Punjab Balighur Rehman, Vice Chancellor ITU Professor Dr. Adnan Noor, Vice Chancellors of various universities, deans, faculty members and large number of students were present on this occasion.