The United Nations System in Pakistan and the OIC Citizens Forum jointly organised a round table discussion on the United Nations Secretary-General's report, "In Larger Freedom: Towards Development, Security, and Human Rights for All" on 28 July. The discussion was held at the United Nations Information Center. This was the third event in a series of a campaign to introduce the Secretary-General's proposals for an informed debate in Pakistan.
The opening address was delivered by Mr Donglin Li, Acting UN Resident Coordinator, followed by a presentation by Mr Tetsuo Maximilien Ohno, Director of the UN Information Center, highlighting the major points of the report as well as proposing an agenda to be acted upon. The session was conducted by prominent writer Mr Saad S. Khan jointly with Ms Ishrat Rizvi, UN Information Coordinator.
The panelists included Senator Mushaid Hussain, General Secretary of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League, Mr Niaz A Naik, former Foreign Secretary, Mr Akram Zaki, former Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Hamid Mir, Bureau Chief, Geo TV, Dr S M Rehman, General Secretary of FRIENDS Foundation, Prof Dr Najma Najam, Vice Chancellor, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Dr Anis Ahmed, Vice Chancelor, Riffah Islamic University, and Dr Ejaz Hussain, Former Dean of Social Sciences of Qaid-e-Azam University.
The roundtable discussion was attended by media and NGO representatives, academia, intellectuals as well as the serving and former government officials. There was a healthy debate on wide aspects of the Report. A lively discussion was held particularly on the proposed formats of the Security Council. A number of speakers said that Muslim countries should also be given permanent seats.
A total of 55 people attended including the seven invited speakers.
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