rki.news
Altaf Hamid Rao
MIRPUR ( AJK): , Sept 14: Veteran columnist and author of several books Raja Ejaz Saleem has said that Pakistan is a country of immense potential and its real strength lies in its people, youth, national institutions and overseas Pakistanis.
Talking informally to media representatives in Mirpur after returning from a visit to the United Kingdom on Monday, he said his meetings with members of the UK-based Pakistani and Kashmiri community and interactions with various circles during his stay in Britain had further strengthened his belief that overseas Pakistanis remained deeply attached to their homeland.
He said promoting a positive image of Pakistan and presenting the country’s identity before the world in a better manner was a collective responsibility.
Raja Ejaz Saleem said talented youth, intellectuals, writers, journalists, businesspeople and overseas Kashmiris from Azad Jammu and Kashmir could play an important role in projecting Pakistan’s positive image.
He said AJK should not be viewed merely as a geographical region but as an important part of Pakistan’s national, cultural and economic landscape. Overseas Pakistanis and Kashmiris belonging to Mirpur and other parts of AJK were playing an important role in the national economy, which needed to be further organized and strengthened.
Referring to the role of the Pakistan Armed Forces, he said the armed forces had fundamental importance in safeguarding the country’s security, defence and national sovereignty. He also appreciated the services rendered by the armed forces and other security institutions during natural disasters, emergencies and difficult national situations.
Ejaz Saleem said a strong defence was a basic requirement of every sovereign state, adding that trust and solidarity between state institutions and the people should be further strengthened on matters relating to national security.
The renowned columnist said Pakistan currently needed national unity, positive thinking, tolerance, respect for the law and a sense of collective responsibility more than anything else. Difference of opinion was the beauty of a democratic society; however, on matters concerning national interest, security and the country’s future, all stakeholders needed to rise above personal and group interests.
He said intellectuals, writers and the media also had a major responsibility. Journalism and the written word played an important role in shaping the direction of society, therefore, along with highlighting problems, their solutions, hope, national unity and positive possibilities should also be projected.
Raja Ejaz Saleem said the country’s biggest strength was its young population. If the youth were provided quality education, modern skills, employment and opportunities to progress, Pakistan could further consolidate its position as a strong and dignified country in the comity of nations.
He said there was no need to lose hope in Pakistan’s future, as the country possessed immense talent, resources and opportunities. What was required was for national institutions, academics, the media, the business community and citizens to discharge their respective responsibilities honestly.
He said he had an ideological affiliation with the Pakistan Muslim League, the party that had created Pakistan under the sole dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
He sought to highlight the collective interests of Pakistan, AJK and the people of Pakistan and promote national unity by the patriotic forces irrespective of the vested interests.
He said Pakistan was rich in natural resources and around 60 percent of its population comprised young people, which was a unique example in the world.
Therefore, he stressed the need to focus primarily on resource development and investment in human capital.
To a question he said overseas Pakistanis could play an effective role in this development process, which could help control unemployment and put the country’s economy on stronger foundations.
Raja Ejaz Saleem further said his third book, focusing on social sciences and covering the utilization of knowledge, skills and abilities, basic sources and opportunities for national development, character-building of youth, career counselling, and a proper understanding of citizens’ rights, duties and responsibilities, would be published soon”, he concluded.
