Hamdard Shura discusses fear, mental health amid global uncertainty

KARACHI: A meeting of Hamdard Shura Karachi was held at Hamdard Corporate Head Office, Bahria Town Tower, Tariq Road, Karachi, under the chairmanship of the Speaker Hamdard Shura, Lt. Gen. (R) Moinuddin Haider on the topic “The atmosphere of Fear and the Anxious Mind”. The meeting was hosted by Ms. Sadia Rashid (Hilal-e-Imtiaz), President of Hamdard Foundation Pakistan, and was attended by a large number of distinguished members.
Addressing the meeting, Lt. Gen. (R) Moinuddin Haider stated that the ongoing global war situation has affected Pakistan just like the rest of the world. There has been an extraordinary increase in petroleum and gas prices, resulting in rising inflation, and in some countries even leading to fuel rationing. Despite these challenges, Pakistan has managed the situation with prudence and effective strategy.
He paid tribute to Iran’s resilience and courage, stating that despite severe international sanctions and pressure, Iran has remained steadfast on its principled stance and has courageously faced major global powers, setting an example for other Muslim countries. He emphasized the need for unity and a joint strategy among Muslim nations to effectively confront global challenges.
Prof. Dr. Raza ur Rahman.Dean, Faculty of Health and medical sciences HU & Eminent Psychiatrist a spoke on human psychology and mental health. He stated that the quality of a person’s life is determined by their actions and behavior. Individuals who contribute positively and create ease for others achieve a sense of fulfillment and generativity, while those who merely pass time fall into despair.
He further highlighted that adopting the habit of “giving” is essential for mental peace, which is not limited to financial help but also includes sharing knowledge, time, and guidance. Additionally, practices such as mindfulness, regular exercise, and journaling (writing down thoughts) play an important role in reducing mental stress.
Dr. Raza added that a positive mental attitude enables individuals to overcome challenges, whereas prolonged stress adversely affects decision-making and overall quality of life. He stressed the importance of promoting awareness about mental health in society.
Senior journalist Mubasher Mir, while expressing his views, stated that media and social media play a highly significant role in today’s era. However, the spread of unverified information and fake news is increasing anxiety and mental stress in society. He emphasized the need for responsible journalism and the provision of authentic information, and also urged government institutions to ensure timely and accurate communication systems to curb misinformation.
Other participants also shared their views on global and regional developments, issues faced by the Muslim world, and challenges confronting Pakistan. They emphasized that national unity, positive thinking, and responsible behavior are key to overcoming these challenges.
Distinguished participants of the meeting included Col. (R) Mukhtar Ahmed Butt, Commodore (R) Sadeed Anwar Malik, Prof. Dr. Khalida Ghaus, Senator Abdul Haseeb Khan, Prof. Dr. Tanveer Khalid, Justice Zia Pervez, Ibnul Hassan Rizvi, Anwar H. Siddiqui, Rizwan Ahmed, Syed Muzaffer Ejaz, Mubashir Mir, Dr. Imran Amin (Vice Chancellor, Hamdard University), Brig. (R) Dr. Riazul Haq, and Zafar Iqbal.