Karachi (HRNW)- The Vice Chancellor of the University of Karachi Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi emphasized that the need for peace today is greater than ever before. He stated that diversity is the true beauty of society, and it is vital to convey positive and accurate messages to the younger generation.
He stressed that building a civilized society requires treating one another as equal citizens. He noted that true equality cannot be achieved without ensuring justice. He further highlighted that peace is dependent on tolerance, acceptance, and freedom of expression.
Addressing students, he urged them not to confine their education and training to themselves but to share it with society, as knowledge grows when it is spread. He expressed these views at the award and certificate distribution ceremony marking the conclusion of the four-day training program “Charagh se Charagh” (Light from Light) Youth Leadership and Civic Engagement Program, organized by the University of Karachi’s Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization in collaboration with the Center for Peace and Development Initiatives and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, held at the Zafar H. Zaidi Center for Proteomics Auditorium.
The program was conducted under a memorandum of understanding between the University of Karachi and CPDI, training 200 students. The KU VC Professor Dr Khalid Iraqi also pointed out that raising awareness among youth is a pressing need of the time.
He said that instead of ignoring problems, it is necessary to identify them promptly and find effective solutions, for which knowledge and its practical application are indispensable. The KU VC Professor Dr Khalid Iraqi expressed deep concern over the rising cases of HIV in Sindh, particularly among youth, and called for urgent and serious measures to address the issue.
Earlier, the Senior Country Director of IFES Shabbir Ahmed stressed the importance of connecting with the past, engaging with the present, and shaping a better future.
He said that we can become beacons of light in this region and bring positive change globally through this mindset. He added that while learning itself is not subject to copyright, written or created works do fall under copyright law.
He advised students to seek knowledge wherever it is available, learn it, and then share it with others. He emphasized that everyone has a responsibility to contribute to positive change in society, and that each individual must recognize their role in building a brighter future.
District Election Commissioner East, Shah Nawaz Brohi, praised “Charagh se Charagh” as an effective platform for public awareness. He lamented that in our society, polling day is often treated merely as a holiday rather than a day to exercise the right to vote.
He pointed out that Pakistan is among the countries with alarmingly low voter turnout. Referring to the 2018 general elections, he noted that only 52% of registered voters cast their ballots, while 48 percent remained passive observers.
He stressed that if this 48 percent had also voted, election results could have been significantly different. He underscored the urgent need to raise awareness among youth about the importance of voting and participation in the democratic process.
The KU’s Director of ORIC Dr Syeda Hoorulain and Project Manager Ambreen Kanwal Provincial Coordinator of CPDI Atif Ali shed light on the objectives of the program. They explained that the purpose was not only to train youth but also to shape them into conscious and responsible citizens who can play a positive and lasting role in society.
They further shared that under the “Charagh se Charagh” campaign, youth went beyond traditional lectures, using theater, arts, and digital media as creative tools to effectively spread democratic awareness to households across communities.
