The meeting was organized in collaboration with Iraj Education & Development Foundation, Voice of Justice & Peace, and Taiwan Foundation for Democracy. Also taking active roles were the people from Khaksar Thareek, those of the Pakistan Community Party, lawyers from the Voice of Justice & Peace, besides us activists of the Pakistan Humanist Party. Another group was comprised of members of the Youth Welfare Society.

Pakistan Humanist Party chairman Irshad Ahmad Mughal says: “The agenda of meeting was laid down in a manner where we could discuss in detail the existing situation in Pakistan and according to the plan, this moved to a discussion of alternatives. We took that occasion to introduce our Pakistan Humanist Party.”

It was notable that all the participants belonged to the middle and lower-middle classes. This would be the norm in a country like Pakistan as those classes have some economic sufficiency and have the mobility and technology to move and contact.

“It was dialogue where all participants discussed the options and the real alternatives and it was also urged that the Humanist Party should continue its activities as we were seen ready and willing to cooperate in all types of initiatives. It was also suggested that the Humanist Party should set up its office, start a wider membership campaign and promote regular dialogue with a wider circle of people.”

The next meeting where the dialogue will be continued could be a like event or a seminar, but anyway would take place in December, 2011.

“We have just sown the seed of our Humanist Party in a welcoming and healthy medium. We will nurture it and encourage that seed to grow into a tree of people working for an open human future. Our nutrients are those people we have found as committed, serious and hardworking activists for future non-violent actions,” ended Irshad Ahmad Mughal.