KARACHI - Speakers at the meeting of Shura Hamdard Karachi chapter urged the government to draw a national consensus in Pakistan’s interest in the war against terrorism because terrorist activities are badly damaging country’s image and economy.The meeting was held here the other day on the theme “Prevailing situation and solidarity of Pakistan.” It was presided over by Justice (r) Haziqul Khairi at a local hotel. Sadia Rashid, president, Hamdard Foundation Pakistan was also present at the meeting.Speaking on the occasion, Shahid Amin, former ambassador of Pakistan, said that contrary to Iraq-America war, the Afghan-America war had the approval of Security Council through its two resolutions 1386 and 1510 which respectively were passed in December 2001 and October 2003. Muslim countries of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Bahrain, Malaysia, UAE, Albania and Jordan were contributing to ISAF since Nato had assumed control in Afghanistan in 2003, he added.“In such a situation Pakistan cannot withhold the supply of Nato and cannot bear the opposition of 48 influential countries. It is the time to take step wisely as emotionalism and over ambitiousness are always harmful to a nation, A foreign policy, based on realities, and had a choice of minimum threats was a successful policy,” he maintained.“National power is always derived from economic power and power of a country depends on its economy which also gives it military power because the rule of might is right is still being prevailed throughout the world. Economic condition was also playing a drastic role in Pakistan. The great impediment in the way of restoration of economy in Pakistan was terrorism which had destroyed the country’s economy.”Terrorism was a mindset not acceptable at any cost as they didn’t accept the writ of Pakistan’s government. Intellectuals must come forward and tell the people that we would never be able to fight with whole world all alone. If we go to the Security Council to stop Drone attacks on Pakistan’s territory we shall not be able to get support from any quarters. It was a fact that no Muslim countries had condemned the Drone attacks on Pakistan,” he said.Referring to the unprecedented challenges overcome by Pakistan since its establishment, its leading and positive role in the international forums, coupled with domestic stability and economic growth, Mahdi Masud, former ambassador of Pakistan stressed the need for a national consensus for meeting the diverse challenges of war on terror. In spite of Pakistan geopolitical importance, daily acknowledged by world observers, Pakistan lacked the necessary leverage for safeguarding its vital security and economic interest, he added.This is due to internal disarray involving unprecedented harmony between state institutions and political parties because of ethnic, sectarian and parochial enormity, provoked by political elements for narrow interest’, he said adding that religious extremism on its part as to the internal intolerance and conflicts were damaging our worldwide image and preventing a consensus in Pakistan’s interest in the war against terrorism.What is needed is the leadership both governmental and political, which would unite the nation against the disintegrating fissiparous tendency, combat the extremist state of mind and restore order and discipline to enable Pakistan to peruse its developmental and political agenda with the help of urgently needed investment, trade, technology and other cooperation which have come to a halt due to the prevailing disorder and anarchy, he said and added that the responsibility for enabling Pakistan to remove its journey on the path to development and progress rest not only on the government but also on main political parties, religious political parties, ulema, civil society and media.Khairi said that all the responsible elements of the nation, including political and religious parties, should keep in their minds the worst condition of the country and people before making any hard decision for their political ends.Col (r) Mukhtar Ahmed Butt was of the view that it was quite difficult to stop drone attacks because it was the most successful weapon of the present warfare as mostly Al-Qaeda leaders were killed by drone attacks. Commodore (r) Sadeed Anwar Malik said that Great Britain was the mother of democracy and it had many members who enjoyed double citizenships, so our double citizenship holders should have right to become members of our parliament, however they ought to take a secret oath separately.Commenting on the law of contempt of court, he said that it was not advisable for the smooth running of the government to make prime ministers to come and go. Brig (r) Syed Muzzaffasul Hasan, Azhar Abbas Hashmi, Khan Mohammed Hussain Khan, Admiral (r) MI Arshad, Dr Abubakar Sheikh, Prof Dr Akhtar Saeed Siddiqui, Abdul Muqhtadar Siddiqui, Prof Dr Naeem Qureshi and Prof Muhammed Rafi also spoke.