LAHORE: (Wednesday, December 18, 2019): Punjab Minister Raja Yasir Hummayun has said that unfortunately institutions in Pakistan could not be strengthened in 70 years history of Pakistan and it was the Army only which follows discipline. He was addressing the book launching ceremony of “Parliament of Pakistan” by Punjab University Department of History and Pakistan Studies’ Professor Dr Mahboob Hussain at the auditorium of PU Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology. PU Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Saleem Mazhar, Dean Faculty of Arts and Humanities Dr Iqbal Chawla, Chairperson of Human Rights Commission Mahdi Hassan, senior analyst Zafar Ullah Khan, former Director Pakistan Study Centre Dr Massarat Abid, Regional Sales Director Oxford University Press Fayyaz Hussain Raja, Prof Dr Mahboob Hussain, faculty members, researchers and a large number of students were present on the occasion. Addressing the ceremony, Minister Raja Yasir Hummayun said that there were many reasons that we did not rely on our institutions. He said that the whole world recognized Pakistan’s strategic importance. He said the standard of debate on serious topics had not improved in Pakistan. He said that continuity of democracy was a must for the country to prosper. He said that the government was making efforts to strengthen institutions for development of country. He appreciated Prof Dr Mahboob Hussain on writing a comprehensive book on Pakistan’s Parliament. Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Saleem Mazhar said that Pakistan was making progress in democracy, education, economics and other sectors. He said that the Muslims were even not allowed to drink water with Hindus. He said that PU always gave respect to the persons who made academic contributions to national issues. He said that we need to promote culture of tolerance, peace and harmony through research-based documents. Senior analyst and human rights activist Dr Mehdi Hasan said that there was need to do research and present accurate references on various events of history. Zafarullah Khan lauded the efforts of Dr Mahboob Hussain on documenting various aspects of Parliament of Pakistan. He said that Parliament was a brain of state and it was a good omen that such debates were being organized in Punjab University. Dr Massarat Abid said that Pakistan was a result of democratic efforts but unfortunately obstacles were created and democracy was not allowed to prosper. She said that corrupt system and weak policies weakened democracy. Dr Iqbal Chawla said that Prof Dr Mahboob Hussain had rightly tried to explain the role of Parliament in Pakistan. He said that corrupt politicians, political parties and other factors weakened democracy in Pakistan. Prof Dr Mahboob Hussain thanked the participants and said that Parliament was the institution which could resolve all the issues being faced by the country.