Pakistan Mahbubul Haq Memorial Interschool Debate 2007

Dear all,

ISLAMABAD: The Lahore Grammar School and Islamabad Convent School won first and second positions respectively in the 10th Mahbubul Haq Memorial Interschool Debate Competition held recently.The topic of debate was ‘Global warming, melting glaciers and rising sea levels spell doom for the South Asian region: A Myth or Reality!’ Students spoke in favour and against the topic.

Zainab Samantash of Islamabad Convent School was adjudged best speaker for the motion whereas Nayab Gohar of Lahore Grammar School was adjudged best speaker against the motion.The winning team from each of the SAARC countries will participate in the super final to be held in Delhi.About 18 schools from Lahore and Rawalpindi participated in this round of the competition.

Those who spoke in favour of the topic said global warming was a serious issue. They said environment was never a priority of the world countries that’s why the temperature was increasing at an alarming rate.They said global warming would increase floods in the world and affect the economic growth. They feared that global warming would seriously affect South Asia countries if practical measures were not taken to address the environmental issues immediately.

Those who spoke against the topic said South Asia countries were facing the problems of poverty, illiteracy and absence of basic amenities. They said these countries had to address the health problems and fight fatal diseases. They were of the view that all South Asia countries had limited resources and they could not afford to spend on the environmental issues ignoring the more pressing needs.

They said certain groups had created media hype where as the environmental problems were not as severe as being portrayed. They said only five glaciers were found melting slightly and there was only a slight rise in temperature during the last 100 years. They said South Asia must address its basic issues like poverty, illiteracy and health on priority basis.

Regards,
Rashedul Hasan Stalin

Source: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/