ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf Thursday said the incumbent government faced criticism throughout its tenure but it showed a similar degree of tolerance as it was passing through a period of transition.
Addressing an ‘International Conference of Writers and Intellectuals -2012’, PM said society, with the passage of time, would grow more tolerant, and it would help counter extremist mindset. He said Pakistan was in a state of war and only the vision of its writers and intellectuals could help the country cope with the grave challenges facing it.
The PM said the society in particular needed a message of peace, love and tranquillity, as it was the best weapon against extremism and terrorism, which has held the nation hostage. He put aside the written text of his speech and addressed the gathering of eminent writers, intellectuals and poets from all over the country and abroad, in a candid manner.
He also accepted all the demands of Academy of Letters for the welfare of their community. “We just urge you to use the force of your pen to help change the extremist mindset, and bring about a positive change in the society,” the Prime Minister said. He said the writers generally referred to “suffocation” in society in their writings and said the intellectuals exercise openness and freedom of expression, during a democratic dispensation.
The PM recalled that he often had to face criticism when he held the portfolio of the Ministry of Water and Power. He said once parliamentarian Bushra Rehman read out a poem in the Parliament House about his ministry, much to the amusement of its members. He added that it reflected that democracy was more tolerant as she never read the poem, when the country faced loadshedding during the era of dictatorship. On the demand of the Pakistan Academy of Letters, he announced Rs 30 million for the completion of an auditorium, doubled the amount of “Qamal-e-fun” award from Rs 0.5 million to Rs one million and that of other awards from Rs 100,000 to Rs 200,000. He also raised the amount of stipend from Rs 5000, equivalent to the minimum wage of Rs 7000.
The Prime Minister, who earlier handed over awards amongst writers for their outstanding work said it was an honour for him to hand it over to the writers. He said it was Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who laid the foundations of the Pakistan Academy of Letters for the welfare of the intellectuals and writers of the country. He said, being a political worker, it was a privilege for him to address the august gathering as he seeks their guidance in everyday affairs.
Ashraf said the theme of the two-day International writers conference on “literature and democracy” was very apt as it reflected the freedom enjoyed by the writers and intellectuals in a democratic era.
He hoped the conference would help strengthen national cohesion and bring about positivity in the society. He said it would help counter extremist mindset that was bent upon forcing their way of life on others and termed it the most condemnable act, that needs to be rejected forcefully.
The event was attended by 25 foreign writers and 650 local intellectuals. It was attended among others by writers including Intzar Hussain, Bano Qudsia, Mustansir Hussain Tararr, Fakher Zaman, Anver Shaur, Fehmeeda Riaz,  Ata-ul-Qasmi, Zohira Nigah, Anver Sadeed, Amjad Islam Amjid, Shakeel Adil Zada, Peerzada Qasim and Dr Khursheed Rizvi.
Minister for National Heritage and Integration Samina Khalid Ghurki lauded the role of writers and intellectuals in strengthening of the nation and giving it a positive vision and direction. She said only the writers and intellectuals stand firm when confronted by dictators and despots and remained committed to the values of freedom and justice. Chairman Pakistan Academy of Letters Abdul Hameed presented the performance of the organisation and the problems it was facing for the welfare of the intellectuals.