‘Sufism only way to fight terrorism’ | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

‘Sufism only way to fight terrorism’

Karachi: Sindh Assembly unanimously passed a joint resolution on Friday, paying rich tributes to great Sufi poet Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai on his 266th Urs.

The resolution, moved by Minister for Culture Sassui Palijo and supported by MQM’s parliamentary leader Syed Sardar Ahmed and opposition leader Jam Madad, called for understanding the message of love and peace of the great Sufi poet. It also deemed Sufism as the only way to fight hatred, extremism and terrorism.

The culture minister informed the assembly that it was for the first time that Shah Latif’s poetry was being translated into French language. She said that the culture department had also translated Bhittai’s poetry into Arabic language last year, adding, six books were being published about Shah’s poetry marked by the message of equality, love and peace.

Minister for Auqaf Abdul Haseeb said that society needs Sufism not Talibanisation.

Jam Madad Ali, Anwar Mahar and Law Minister Ayaz Soomro also spoke in favour of the resolution.

Sindh’s unlimited potential of tourism: The newly inducted Minister for Tourism Ms Shazia Marri, while giving statement under the assembly’s rule 215, called upon every individual living in Sindh to come forward and do their part for the promotion of tourism in Sindh. She said that the Sindh government has appreciated the initiatives taken by the private sector in this regard. She said that public-private partnership was a successful initiative of the present government under which many projects have been initiated. “It is the time to develop and foster such partnership in the tourism sector to show the world the beauty and the majesty of the land of the Sufis,” she added.

Ms Marri said that almost all sectors, including tourism, were adversely affected in the given checkered history owing to the opposition to democratic governments in Pakistan. Besides, she added, tourist flows further decreased in the wake of challenges posed by the war on terror.

She, however, added that the present government was striving to address outstanding issues and concerns of the people. Ms Marri said that tourism has grown to be the largest service industry in the world and has become a source of substantial revenue for many nations. “But for us it still remains unfamiliar territory despite having vast potential,” she added.

She said that Turkey, Malaysia and Thailand earn annual revenues of 21 billion dollars, 15 billion dollars and 12 billion dollars, respectively, while Pakistan lags far behind, failing to reach even 250 million dollars and Sindh earns a mere fraction of even that.

Referring to historical sites and 250km long coastline, the tourism minister said that Sindh has been extraordinary blessed and has unlimited potential for tourism.
Source: The News
Date:1/30/2010