News
Friday, March 22, 2013
National religious solidarity conference urges interfaith harmony
* PUC chairman Ashrafi demands strict action against those behind Quetta blasts, Joseph Colony arson
Staff Report
LAHORE: Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) Chairman Allama Tahir Ashrafi has stressed the need to promote interfaith peace and religious harmony in greater interest of the nation, and demanded authorities to take strict action against those elements who are behind incidents like Quetta blasts and Joseph Colony arson.
Ashrafi was addressing the National Religious Solidarity Conference at a local hotel, which was organised by the PUC in connection with the Joseph Colony attack. Jamaat-e-Islami’s Liaqat Baloch, Allama Muhammad Khan Laghari of the Sunni Ittehad Council, Bishop of Lahore Dr Alexander John Malik, Akram Masih Gill, Mashaikh Pakistan Peer Chairman Saifullah Khalid, representatives of different political parties, religious parties and civil society representatives also participated in the conference in a show of solidarity with the minorities.
The participants also issued a joint declaration condemning the target killings in Karachi, Quetta and the attacks of Abbas Town and Badami Bagh. They also demanded punishment for those responsible for the Badami Bagh incident. Speaking on the occasion, Ashrafi said that every citizen of Pakistan is living in a state of fear from Karachi to Lahore, and people are being killed every day. On the blasphemy issue, he said the country had a law to punish the accused. He further said that “we should struggle to stop brutal acts like those that happened in Quetta, Joseph Colony and Gojra in the name of blasphemy”.
All religious and political parties who participated in the conference condemned violence in the name of religion. They urged various schools of thought to respect each other’s faith. The conference was attended by major political parties of the country, Sikh, Christian, Hindu, Shia and Sunni representatives. It expressed serious concern over the growing violence in the country. The government was asked to ensure compensation to the Joseph Colony victims.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk