Major circles in our politics have turned a blind eye to Iqbal’s philosophy of “Khuddi” (Self) and to the welfare of the poor: Dr. Jamal Nasir
Rawalpindi: Former Health Minister of Punjab Dr. Jamal Nasir has said that the Major circles in our politics have turned a blind eye to Iqbal’s philosophy of “Khuddi” (Self) and to the welfare of the poor. This great philosophy of Iqbal has been limited to only the poor and deprived people of Pakistan.
He expressed these views while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar on “Allama Iqbal’s Vision of Poverty Alleviation” on Iqbal Day organized by the Jinnah Iqbal South Asian Forum here at Anjuman Faiz-ul-Islam, Faizabad Murree Road, Rawalpindi on Sunday. Chairman of the Forum, Rana Abdul Baqi, Dr. Sadiya Kamal, Dr. Mrs. Sabaahat, members of the forum, Muhammad Tanveer, Campus Manager of Anjuman Faiz-ul-Islam, and a large number of men and women were present.
On this occasion, warm quilts were distributed as gifts among the flood-affected people of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as local white-collar families (families with modest means who don’t want to seek help openly).
“We have no shortage of money and resources but lacking the capable political and institutional administrators who could use these resources efficiently and honestly for poverty alleviation owing to which poverty rate is increasing”, Dr. Jamal Nasir added.
While appreciating the distribution of warm quilts to flood victims and deserving families, he praised the Jinnah Iqbal Forum, especially Rana Abdul Baqi, saying that besides reducing social deprivations, the forum is doing commendable work by spreading Iqbal’s message of “Khuddi”, which is worthy of emulation for all of us. “Allama Dr. Muhammad Iqbal had dreamed of a Pakistan where no one would be deprived or poor”, He mentioned saying more a few selected families have grabbed politics and power, and their self-serving supporters, who keep changing parties to protect their own and their big political leaders’ interests, are supporting their rule, while the poor have no one to turn to. He further said we don’t find the vision of Iqbal and Jinnah in them. “The philosophy of Iqbal’s Khudi has long left the hearts and minds of the rulers and those in power, and only the poor are left as the custodians of Iqbal’s philosophy”, he noted.
Rana Abdul Baqi, Chairman of the Forum, said in his address that Jinnah Iqbal Forum is making efforts to alleviate poverty within its capacity and sphere of influence, keeping in view the vision of Jinnah and Iqbal. He said our people, especially the new generation, are moving away from the knowledge of real purpose of founding the separate country due to a lack of awareness of the vision of the founders of Pakistan. He said that the purpose of distributing blankets to white-collar families and flood victims on Iqbal Day is to make people aware of Iqbal’s personality, character, and philosophy, and to encourage other well-off people to spend on removing the deprivations of resource-less white-collar families.
Dr. Sadiya Kamal, speaking at the event, said that the Jinnah Iqbal Forum helps people affected by natural disasters and poverty in every difficult hour. She informed the participants about Iqbal’s message and intellectual guidance, saying that the forum, under the leadership of Chairman Rana Abdul Baqi, is fully following the guidance given by Iqbal for the establishment of Pakistan and the welfare of Muslims. Flood victims still need relief on a large scale.
Dr. Mrs. Sabaahat performed the duties of moderator. Afterwards, warm blankets were distributed among local white-collar families, and teams of the Jinnah Iqbal Forum left with gifts of blankets for flood victims in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
