Deputy Commissioner, Islamabad Capital Territory Capt. (Retd) Mushtaq Ahmed visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and briefed the business community about the details of organizing a 3-day Islamabad Spring Festival 2018 (ISF) that would commence from April 6.
Mushtaq said the festival would feature various events during three days including family gala, food festival, kids’ arena, water sports competition, cycling competition, flowers exhibition, art and craft gallery etc.
He said a cricket match of special persons in collaboration with ICCI would also be held on April 8 at Shalimar Ground.
He said a musical concert would be held at Jinnah Convention Center and said that ICCI should sponsor that event. He hoped that the ISF would also help in better promotion of business activities. He said efforts would be made to organize ISF every year on regular basis and it could be enhanced from one to two weeks or more. (Source: The Nation News 29/3/2018)
Comment:
Today in Pakistan, the majority face annual gas and electricity shortages, many do not have access to clean drinking water. Access to public healthcare is minimal, private health is highly priced and the education system, both private and public is the worry of all parents. The cost of living is high and news of children being killed by parents for fear of poverty too common.
At the same time an election is due in May, and the options of who to elect are clearly all as bad as each other. The recently removed Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif is facing corruption charges and daily news dramas unfold showing the mess of the current system for all to see. Mainstream politicians are commonly seen as corrupt by the masses. Even the vision of a “New Pakistan”, presented by the PTI in the last elections has vanished since the party has gained members from other parties, many of whom are seen as opportunists.
There is plenty to reflect on and think about in terms of where Pakistan is headed and all the while distractions are not in short supply.
After the PSL Cricket Fever, 23rd March Defence Day Parade and Free Music Concerts, the latest offering is a Spring Festival in the Capital.
It is easy to see why people may want to escape all the worries, woes and bad news but this is the time to really rise up and think about real change. It is time to think of how Pakistan can gain true stability, harmony and prosperity rather than take part in another feel good activity until the next crisis.
Whilst we know there is the ability to grow enough crops to feed the population and natural resources to generate energy, Pakistan’s army is one of the largest in the world and has nuclear capabilities, that there are coal, gas and gold reserves and so on. The masses are either struggling to survive or struggling to ignore what is happening!
The potential of Pakistan can only be realized with a serious plan to remove the system of democracy that has clearly failed with a viable alternative. That alternative is the natural system that emanates from the Aqeedah of Islam, the Khilafah system (Caliphate) upon the methodology of the Prophethood. This system gave the Ummah her glory and rightful status as the leader of humanity in our past and this is the only system that will lead Pakistan out of its current dire situation.
The problems of the Ummah need to be faced with real options that work. Ignoring the problems through distractions or trying to solve them through democracy are no longer a choice- we need to ask ourselves, have they ever worked?
Nazia Rehman