Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has laid stress on making the youth of Pakistan aware of history, culture and poetry
“I am happy to come to Shaikh Ayaz Mela. This being the 9th Mela is a huge success. Pakistan cannot progress if we do not nurture poets, artists and culture,” he said while addressing the Shaikh Ayaz Mela.
He added: “If we want to build a modern country and face the problems and threats and keep up with the world, history and culture have to be embraced.
"There was a lot of oppression in Pakistan. The biggest crime is not killing great leaders. The biggest injustice is to crush history, culture and language.
"The youth are handed guns instead of pens. I want to take Pakistan in a direction where it should embrace history and culture without being ashamed.
I have been a young foreign minister. My dream and vision is that every child of Pakistan should be familiar with Mohenjo Daro.
"The youth of Kashmir and Punjab should know the Shaikh Ayaz like Sindhi youth know about Allama Iqbal. This is the way to success.”
He continued: “If the country's poets, intellectuals and youth wake up, no one can stop progress. There are various languages spoken in the country and the children must be free to learn any language.
"We just need to provide them the opportunity to learn. We want Pakistan to become one country and embrace all languages. Such an atmosphere will put an end to the politics of hate."
He questioned terming each other traitors and labelling them as infidels and stressed the need for joining hands to promote freedom of expression.
He said: “We want to root such problems out with your help. Every Pakistani must understand that we are all patriots … we love Pakistan. Have differences of opinion and do not have personal animosity.
He called for stamping out the divide-and-rule policy, saying: “Some people want us to be divided and promote hate. But when the people and youth of Pakistan know that there is victory in unity, all those forces will be defeated.”
The former foreign minister underlined the need for concerted efforts to cope with the challenge of climate change.
“Along with penguins and polar bears, the people of 250 million Pakistanis are also at risk. It also needs your help to fight it. We have to prepare for our future.
"The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) will provide the youth with a means of positive activities. It wants to provide financial support to the poor. It wants a prosperous Pakistan. it can bring together everyone, It can promote harmony.”