By Saleem Chandio
Karachi: The youth of Pakistan are lucky as they have got leaders like Quaid-e-Azam, Z.A. Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto so they could change the future of country by following their footsteps.
This was stated by Sindh Information Minister Shazia Marri while speaking at the 2nd day of the ‘Young Leaders’ Conference (YLC) 2009 titled ‘Understand Self’, aimed at introducing participants to the hardware and software of ‘self’ and how to connect with others in their surrounding. Around 300 youth participated in the conference.
I am happy to see the energy in the youth who are going to be the future of Pakistan, she said. We have witnessed that youth have changed the course of history with relentless struggle as they fought against tyranny from Germany to China and Africa to Cuba, she added. The provincial minister said that young people have always agitated for the good of the society. She added that youth are the best because they are the followers of Quaid-e-Azam. Shazia Marri added that youths have the matchless example in the shape of leaders like Quaid-e-Azam and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. We are fortunate and lucky to have leaders like Quaid-e-Azam and Z.A. Bhutto, she said. We cannot forget Benazir Bhutto who sacrificed her life for the nation and created history, she added.
She said that ZA. Bhutto was the youngest parliamentarian of the world as he was the youngest member of the cabinet. He became a part of UN delegation just at the age of 29 and foreign affairs minister at the age of 34.
Shazia Marri said Z.A. Bhutto in his youth formed a party and never compromised on his principles. Due to strong ideology and values our youth would bring a positive change for the nation, she added.
Pakistan is proud of its youth who are the future builders of the country, she said. We must dream as we have spirit and potential to fulfill our dreams, she added.
I am confident of our youth and their potential and we should be participants but not observers to make democracy sustainable, she said. We need to strengthen our country socially and technologically, she added.
I am not disappointed with my generation as no one could take their courage and fearlessness away from them, she said. Bravery is the gift of God to the people of your age and you should take distinctive advantage of this quality and capitalize in the society by saying what is right, Shazia added.
Future leaders would emerge from today’s youth and they would take this country to the heights they deserve, she said.
The provincial minister emphasized that it is not easy to start up life, overcome hurdles and become successful. What makes it possible is ones passion for the goal and consistency of purpose. English Biscuit Manufacturers (EBM), the lead sponsor of YLC, started the day. EBM has been strong supporter of the youth in general and YLC in particular. Mr Shakeel A Akram, Marketing Manager of EBM addressed the youth and reinforced their continuous efforts and commitment to societal uplift, which EBM is intensively pursuing. Participants attended several issue exploration sessions in small groups with prominent experts on topics that included ‘A journey towards self actualization’, ‘balancing life’, ‘making choices’, ‘how the leaders made it big in their respective fields’, ‘living meaningful lives’ and capacity buildings session. Participants presented their solution to the expert speakers and fellow participants.