Leading Pakistan lawyer says services are key to preventing fundamentalism

On the day it was revealed the Taleban’s most senior military commander has been captured in Pakistan, one of the country’s leading lawyers has said that services are key to preventing the public falling prey to fundamentalism.

Corporate lawyer and CEO of Fashion Pakistan Ayesha Tammy Haq told the British Muslims for Secular Democracy (BMSD) conference at SOAS today that Pakistanis were “not all fundamentalists” and were in favour of democracy.

Ayesha-Tammy-Haq She said:

“People, when given the chance, do not vote for the religious parties. If good services are delivered, if countries trade with us, that will deter the public from even thinking about fundamentalism.

“Also democracy, education and human rights, these are essential.”

Ms Haq, who joined in the protests against Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari for his sacking and then reinstatement of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudry last March, ended on a hopeful note, saying Pakistan had much to look forward to:

“We are stylish, modern, glamorous and creative; join us at the next Pakistan Fashion Week!”

Other speakers at the conference included journalists Yasmin Alibhai-Brown and Razia Iqbal, former “Apprentice” contestant Saira Khan and Mrs Pakistan World Professor Tahmena Bokhari.

Jameela

I heard Tahmena speak at this conference and she was amazing. All the speakers were great and the topic was so fascinating. I hope Tahmena Bokhari can come back to the UK, she was just brilliant to hear live and in person.
G Khan

This was really amazing. All of the women speakers are fabulous women. I loved the fashion week photos and newsclips….and from my home country. I think those who took the bold steps to organize this are great examples of our culture. Makes me feel change is possible and that we are normal people, we just have to look. It was so nice to share those pics with my nonPak friends, they loved it.