Saibaan-e-Pakistan: Ahsan calls for greater national unity, interfaith harmony

ISLAMABAD, Dec 30 (APP):Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday said that Saibaan-e- Pakistan represents a national narrative aimed at promoting interfaith harmony, social cohesion and peaceful coexistence, stressing that without peace and harmony, sustainable development is not possible.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of Saibaan-e-Pakistan, a national narrative for interfaith harmony and social cohesion, the minister said the initiative would strengthen the national narrative against extremism and intolerance, similar to Paigham-e-Pakistan which was launched in 2018 to counter extremist ideologies and promote unity across society.

The event was jointly organized by Paigham-e-Pakistan Centre for Peace, Reconciliation and Reconstruction Studies, Islamic Research Institute, International Islamic University, Peace and Development Unity, Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiative, and Council of Islamic Ideology.

He said Pakistan’s Constitution guarantees religious freedom to all citizens and ensures equal rights irrespective of faith, adding that minorities in Pakistan have representation in all walks of life.

He recalled that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had clearly guaranteed religious freedom and equal citizenship for all Pakistanis.

He emphasized that interfaith dialogue was essential for peaceful coexistence and social stability, and that religious tolerance and dialogue played a critical role in eliminating extremism.

He said harmony among followers of different faiths was vital for Pakistan’s progress, adding that the Charter of Medina remained the earliest model of citizenship, religious freedom, rule of law and mutual respect. “We want a Pakistan based on brotherhood and unity, not hatred,” he said.

Sharing a personal reflection, Ahsan Iqbal recalled the assassination attempt on him in 2018, saying that while the bullet struck his body, the message reached his heart, reinforcing his resolve to work against extremism.

He stressed the need to disarm minds from the weapons of hatred and prejudice.

Calling for a collective national effort, Ahsan Iqbal appealed to religious scholars not to let differences turn into hatred, to political leaders to disagree without spreading enmity, to media to amplify voices of peace rather than extremism, to teachers to instill tolerance in children, and to civil society to continue healing social divisions.

“I urge everyone to revive Quaid-e-Azam’s Pakistan — a state where religion provides moral guidance, not denial of civil rights, and where all citizens are equal,” he remarked.