Religious scholars have key role in maintaining peace: Minister Salman

LAHORE, Aug 17 (APP):On the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, a series of consultations with scholars representing all schools of thought is under way at the Home Department to strengthen peace and maintain law and order across the province.

A delegation of Tehreek-e-Nifaz Fiqh Jafariya on Monday met Provincial Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order Khawaja Salman Rafique. Secretary Home Dr Ahmed Javed Qazi, Special Secretary Home Faisal Farid, DIG Special Branch Sajjad Manj, Syed Tahir Raza Bukhari, DG Auqaf Hafiz Anees-ur-Rehman, Additional Secretary Internal Security Javeria Maqbool, Additional Secretary Special Initiative Abdul Rauf, SSP Operations Punjab, SSP CTD and other senior officials attended the meeting.

The delegation comprised Tehreek-e-Nifaz Fiqh Jafariya Punjab General Secretary Hassan Kazmi, Provincial Nazim-ul-Amoors Lahore Allama Sabih Haider Shirazi, Deputy Convener Lahore Allama Dildar Haider Jafri, Faisalabad Region President Agha Hajat Ali, Gujranwala Region Convener Dr Syed Rafaqat Ali Shamsi, Rawalpindi President Syed Shabih-ul-Hassan Kazmi, Syed Zulfiqar Haider Naqvi, Multan Deputy Convener Syed Qamar Hasnain Naqvi, Gujarat Deputy Convener Syed Tanzeem Haider, Lahore Senior Vice President Syed Rizwan Turabi, Sargodha Region President Allama Ansar Abbas Ijaz and Syed Zafar Abbas.

The participants discussed the overall law and order situation in Punjab and measures to promote religious harmony and public safety.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said consultations with respected scholars representing all schools of thought were being held under the leadership of the chief minister. He said religious scholars had a fundamental role in promoting peace in Punjab.

“Scholars of all schools of thought are united for the sake of peace and public order in Punjab,” he said, stressing the need to rise above differences and work collectively for Pakistan’s security.

The minister said all schools of thought were on the same page regarding the security and stability of the country. He added that the Punjab government’s cooperation with scholars from all schools of thought on a common platform represented a setback for elements seeking to undermine national unity. He said this unity had helped protect the lives and property of citizens.

Secretary Home Dr Ahmed Javed Qazi said scholars were an important part of Punjab’s efforts to promote peace. He appreciated the cooperation extended by religious scholars during Muharram and Chehlum and said the government was pursuing a zero-tolerance policy against those spreading sectarianism through social media.

The Tehreek-e-Nifaz Fiqh Jafariya delegation assured the government of continued cooperation for the security and stability of the country. It said all schools of thought would work together to ensure compliance with the law and appreciated the Punjab government’s measures to maintain public order.

The meeting concluded with prayers for the security, peace and prosperity of Pakistan and its people.