LAHORE: Pakistan Institute of National Affairs (PINA) and Punjab University South Asian Studies Centre jointly held a seminar on Internal Stability & the Strengthening of Independence. The speakers urged the need for the sanctity of the great blessing of independence. Sargodha University former vice chancellor Professor Dr Akram Chaudhry in his presidential address pointed out the nefarious designs of the anti Muslim forces towards disintegration of the military power of Muslim states. “They are eyeing at Pakistan after weakening of Syria, Egypt and Iraq,” he said and emphasised the need for the education of modern subjects in religious schools. “It would result in religious harmony. The adoption of uniform syllabus will bring national unity,” he said. PINA General Secretary Altaf Hassan Qureshi emphasised that the narrow mindedness of the Hindu community paved the way for the establishment of Pakistan. “The Hindu majority was hell bent upon eliminating cultural heritage of the Muslims. Doors of economic prosperity were closed on the Muslims. It was the courageous leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah that brought freedom for the Muslims through a democratic struggle. Pakistan had to face numerous problems in its early years. Muhammad Ali Jinnah in his speech on August 11 especially highlighted the diseases that had crept into the Muslim society. It included nepotism, bribery and provincialism. They created great challenges of internal stability and coherence for the state of Pakistan. Power tussle, religious extremism, class struggle and imbalance in civil military relations are the great challenges of today’s Pakistan,” he said. Published in Daily Times, August 17th 2018.