It is unfortunate that no one considers thieves bad in Pakistan: PM Imran Khan
JHELUM, Nov 29 (SABAH): Mental slavery is far more dangerous than physical slavery, said Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday, as he addressed a ceremony at the Al-Qadir University in Jhelum. Speaking about leadership, the premier said a selfish and cowardly person can never become a leader. PM Imran Khan said that it is unfortunate that no one considers thieves bad in Pakistan.
The prime minister was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of Al-Qadir University’s academic blocks, where he spoke about the importance of breaking the shackles of slavery.
“Unfortunately, due to colonialism, Muslims suffered from mental slavery around the world,” he said.
The prime minister emphasised on speaking the truth and dispensing justice. “Speaking truth was a quality of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) before he was appointed a Messenger.”
PM Imran Khan said he had always aimed at creating institutions in Pakistan that would implement Islam in its true spirit.
He spoke about education at length, lamenting that there were no universities researching the lives of the Muslim leaders, warriors, scholars and reformers.
“Islam and Science were both working alongside each other,” he said. “There was harmony between them. Read Al-Biruni and others, they had a strong connection to Allah,” he added.
The prime minister spoke out against Western culture, saying that Pakistan’s youth was confused about it in today’s world.
He said young Pakistanis studied the Western culture and were misled by it, saying that its progress lured many into copying it.
The premier urged universities to research on the disastrous effects that Western culture was having on family life, and spoke out against how pornographic material was widely available on smartphones these days.
He said universities were important as they can help people make “informed choices” that will help people make smarter and better choices.
“Allah encourages Ijtihad in the Holy Quran,” he said. “How will Ijtihad take place here if the person who differs in his point of view from you, is declared a kafir,” he lamented.
The prime minister said that the concept of leadership that Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gave to Muslims will be imparted in Pakistani universities to the youth, adding that “we will start from our students.”
He said it was important to educate students about these aspects so that when they become future leaders, they think about Pakistan’s progress rather than appointing their friends to high places and committing corruption.
Speaking indirectly about the Asma Jahangir Conference where former prime minister Nawaz Sharif spoke, the prime minister lamented how the PML-N supremo was allowed to address the event.
He said societies perished when they refused to condemn sins, adding that the former prime minister was speaking at a conference where judges of the Supreme Court were present. “This person had escaped abroad after lying,” he said, taking a dig at Nawaz Sharif.
PM Imran Khan said if society continued to venerate and appreciate people who had indulged in corruption, then other people would find no incentive in working hard.
“Why would a common man study 14 years, work eight hours a day to earn for his wife and children when another person operates like a qabza group?” he asked.
Prime Minister Imran Khan emphasized on research in universities to provide informed choices to the youth.He said the universities have a role to play for character building of students in the light of Seera-e-Tayyeba.
The Prime Minister said unless we practice Seerat-un-Nabi Sallallaho Alaihe Wa Alayhee Wassalam, we cannot attain the status dreamt by Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
He said Al-Qadir University would engage with international Islamic scholars to provide world level education facilities to the students. He expressed the confidence that the university would build leadership qualities among the students.
Underlining the need for promotion of debate in the society, he said thought process must be advanced. He said character and morality of the nation would be uplifted on the model of Riyasat-e-Madina.
Later, the Prime Minister took round of different academic blocks of the university and interacted with the faculty.