KARACHI: In order to look for a `counter-narrative`, the state and the people must look towards Sufism `because it is the best counter-narrative in itself`.

This view and other thoughts were expressed at a meeting of rights organisations and political parties held at the Arts Council on Saturday.

The focus of the meeting was a `single-point agenda` that could reinforce the `ideals andthoughts of secular forces in the country`.

The meeting was collectively organised by rights organisations in order to address the `post-Sehwan blast` situation.

Asad Iqbal Butt of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), a few members of local parties, writers and columnists participated in the discussion.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf representative Dr Arif Alvi was also present.

He began by suggesting that `intellectual nurseries need tocome into play as a counter-narrative tool which is missing at the moment` He was, however, criticised by other participants in the meeting over the allocation of Rs300 million in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa budget for the Darul Uloom Haqqania, a seminary in the PTI-ruled province.

`We cannot close down seminaries,` he said when asl(ed about it.

One of the participants suggested that the money could have instead been used to openschoolsin the province.

Columnist Javed Qazi said that `Sufism is the best counternarrative tool to use against terrorists. It only needs to be accepted by the state`.

He said that there was an ongoing campaign of hate against anyone who was liberal or open-minded.

`As a result, Sufism is not accepted in the society.

About the dhamal performed by artist Sheema Kermani at the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, he said the `idea was to not letthe tradition stop due to fear`.

Rights activist Zulfiqar Shah criticised the `growing humanitarian work by banned organisations in calamity-hit areas.

He also criticised the growing trend of `protesting through WhatsApp and Facebook posts` Zubair Rehman from the Communist Party said: `Controlling proxy wars from neighbouring countries by proIran and pro-Saudia Arabia factions in Pakistan will minimise sectarian and terrorism-related killings to a large extent.The role of military courts was also criticised.

On this point, Shujauddin Qureshi, member of PILER, said that the `ominous role of military courts needs to be challenged by the civilian government` He questioned the information released after every major attack in which terrorists were claimed to have been killed.

`If that is so, we need to know who these people were. We do not accept military courts,` he added.