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Allama Iqbal advocated global cooperation rather than dominance, says Professor Sachs

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OXFORD: World’s renowned economist, Professor Jeffrey Sachs on Monday highlighted Allama Iqbal’s intellectual thought, his vision for a world free of exploitation — based on justice and solidarity — saying “Iqbal was a man of peace who advocated cooperation and dialogue between civilisations”.

The economist was speaking at the annual Allama Iqbal Lecture organised by the Oxford Pakistan Programme (OPP) with a packed audience in Lady Margaret Hall at the University of Oxford. 

Professor Sachs is a world-renowned economist, author, and advisor to governments around the world. He is also the Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University and a leading advocate of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

Professor Jeffrey Sachs while speaking to the audience at Lady Margaret Hall on March 6, 2023. — By the author
 Professor Jeffrey Sachs while speaking to the audience at Lady Margaret Hall on March 6, 2023. — By the author

Professor Sachs quoted a message given by Iqbal to the Lahore radio station a few months before his death in 1938 in which he had argued that the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity cannot be realised unless we consider the whole world as one “family of God”. 

He highlighted the relevance of this message for both its own time, having been delivered a few years before the World War, but also for contemporary global affairs that require new geopolitics of peace and cooperation.

He advised that poor developing countries like Pakistan which have historically enjoyed close relations with both China and the United States should not be coerced into choosing sides.

The lecture attracted a large audience of Oxford students, senior academics, and several heads of departments and faculties. 

Professor Sachs (left) and executive director of the Dadabhoy Foundation Abdul Ghani Dadabhoy. — By the author
Professor Sachs (left) and executive director of the Dadabhoy Foundation Abdul Ghani Dadabhoy. — By the author

The High Commissioner for Pakistan to the United Kingdom, Moazzam Ahmad Khan, his wife, and guests from London were also in attendance. 

On this occasion, Abdul Ghani Dadabhoy, the Executive Director of the Dadabhoy Foundation which supports education and social development initiatives in Pakistan and sponsors the Allama Iqbal lecture series at the University of Oxford, stressed the need for dialogue and collaboration.

He reiterated the support of the Dadabhoy Foundation in facilitating such conversations and providing a platform for global experts, such as Professor Sachs, to share their knowledge and expertise.

The OPP is a multi-pronged initiative that seeks to promote academic collaboration between the University of Oxford and Pakistan. The programme offers scholarships and research grants to Pakistan-origin students. 

The Iqbal lecture was live streamed from Oxford to around 50 participating universities across Pakistan, a list that not only included well-known universities such as LUMS and IBA but also higher education institutions in far-flung areas, such as Mardan’s Women’s University, the University of Turbat in Balochistan, and Karakoram University in Gilgit-Baltistan.

A group photo of Pakistani participants at Lady Margaret Hall after an annual Allama Iqbal lecture at the University of Oxford, UK on March 6, 2023. — By the author
A group photo of Pakistani participants at Lady Margaret Hall after an annual Allama Iqbal lecture at the University of Oxford, UK on March 6, 2023. — By the author

Commenting on the significance of this model of engagement, the Programme’s co-founders Professor Adeel Malik, Dr Talha Jamal Pirzada, and Mr Haroon Zaman emphasised the need to make scholarly voices shaping the global discourse accessible to Pakistani students who would otherwise not be able to engage with such speakers. 

The Iqbal lecture series, they highlighted, also plays an important role in generating a holistic debate on the campus and in creating an important cultural bridge between Oxford and Pakistan.

The Iqbal lecture is held annually and aims to draw prominent scholars, intellectuals, and policymakers from around the world.

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PTI presents seven nominations to Imran Khan for the judicial commission.

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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has proposed seven individuals to its founder, Imran Khan, for consideration as founding members of PTI for membership in the next Judicial Commission.

None of the nominated individuals are attorneys; rather, the roster includes four Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) and three senators.

The proposed MNAs are Umar Ayub, Asad Qaiser, Ali Mohammad Khan, and Aamir Dogar, while the senators are Shibli Faraz, Mohsen Aziz, and Aun Abbas Bapi. Sources suggest that the Judicial Commission will include one opposition member from both the National Assembly and the Senate.

The PTI founder will evaluate and endorse two names from the suggested list, which will then be sent to the Speaker for future actions.

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Pakistan’s gold prices are slightly declining.

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Pakistani gold prices saw a slight decline on Monday, following a significant increase, in line with worldwide market patterns.

According to data released by the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), the price of 24-karat gold per tola dropped by Rs900 in the local market, ending at Rs283,400.

The cost of 10 grams of 24-karat gold also decreased by Rs771, reaching Rs242,970.

On Monday, the price of gold fell by $9 on the global market as well, to $2,739 an ounce, with an extra $20 premium.

However, the local market’s silver prices were stable at Rs3,350 per tola, untouched by the recent fluctuations in gold prices.

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During Punjab’s anti-polio campaign, polio workers will provide drops to children as young as five.

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During the October 28–November 3 anti-polio campaign in Punjab, polio workers will knock on every house in the province, including those in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad.

In Punjab, 20 million youngsters will receive anti-polio drops in total.

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