“Education Need of the Time for Future to Survive” Qureshi, Gurdaspuri

The Forum for International Relations Development (FIRD) partnered up with its academic arm, London College of Business Management and Information Technology, organised a seminar titled “Peace through Education” with the guest of honour and keynote speaker Mr. Aslam Gurdaspuri. As a renowned Pakistani poet and political activist in the early years of Bhutto and the Pakistan Peoples Party, Mr Gurdaspuri shed light on the current situation of South Asia through a historical paradigm. Moderating the session, Mr Umar Mahmood, FIRD fellow, introduced the panel members and made introductory remarks. The panel consisted of Mr Aslam Gurdaspuri, the chief guest, along with Mr Toaha Qureshi MBE, Mr Akram Qaimkhani and Professor Z U Khan.

In order to initiate the proceedings, Mr Umar Mahmood gave the floor to Mr Toaha Qureshi MBE, Chairman FIRD and Principal LCBMIT, who thanked and praised Mr Gurdaspuri for his political and intellectual struggles. He also introduced FIRD and its conflict resolution projects, along with giving an insight into the social welfare ethos that birthed LCMBIT. Mr Qureshi also shared FIRD’s initiative of a 50 year No war Pact with India, which could serve a 1% reduction in defence spending, and that reduction would be equally spent on education and health. After a 5 year period, a review of the initiative would illustrate relief at the grassroots level for the general public. Mr Qureshi also briefly touched upon contributions towards counter radicalization in the British society since 1999, which helped the youth to stay off the streets and become employable. Through endeavours in counter radicalisation projects, such as SEED and PROSEED, youth groups were given mentoring, education, sports and other programmes to divert them from violent extremism. Along with these ventures, a provision of scholarships to students from varying backgrounds was created to ensure that education was universal. Education was an important element for future building of society.

Mr Akram Qaim Khani introduced the life and achievements of Mr Gurdaspuri, speaking on his literary and political struggles in early Pakistan and the impact it had beyond the borders. Mr Gurdaspuri, thanking the hosts for organising such a wonderful seminar, shed light on his life and how he was inspired into the political scene due to Z A Bhutto’s charisma. Speaking on the struggles of creating a revolution for the betterment of society, Mr Gurdaspuri expressed his disappointed on the maturity of Pakistan as a nation, despite the strides it had made internationally. The country was suffering from a feudal lord system still overriding the democratic way of life, he did concede however that this was not the case everywhere. Echoing the concept of the 50 year no war pact, Mr Gurdaspuri questioned “why not have an unlimited no war pact?” to the audience. He felt that South Asia hadn’t learnt the lessons that the West did from its wars.

Despite the first and second world wars and its aftermath, the West still managed to bring itself together to enjoy social and economic advancements. He went on to recite two of his latest poetic verses penned through inspiration from the peaceful and organized society in UK. Congratulating FIRD and LCBMIT for its educational impact on south Asian students, Mr Gurdaspuri said it was the need of the time to support our education sector as this is the biggest loss the Pakistan government could be affected by. The youth must be provided with the opportunity to study so that the future can survive. He concluded his speech with a poem of his from his latest book.

Mr Mahmood briefed the audience and panel on the education scholarships that are currently being provided to various bodies in Pakistan including government and non-governmental institutions. MoU’s have been signed for students of Sindh, KPK, Punjab and Balochistan for both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

Dr Z U Khan, former Vice Chancellor AJK University, expressed his pleasure of meeting Mr Gurdaspuri and extended a vote of thanks to Mr Gurdaspuri for sparing his time and honoring the event with his presence. Finally, he thanked Mr Toaha Qureshi and FIRD for arranging this event. The seminar was attended by researchers, students, political activists, local community and media.