National unity, peace govt’s top priorities: Maryam

LAHORE, Jul 03 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Friday chaired a meeting of the National Paigham-e-Aman Committee, attended by prominent religious scholars from all schools of thought and leaders of minority communities.

The committee lauded the chief minister for exemplary arrangements during Muharram and expressed appreciation for the Punjab government’s initiatives for religious scholars, observance of Eid, Muharram and minority festivals. It also paid tribute to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for Pakistan’s diplomatic achievements and the success of Marka-i-Haq, while reaffirming its commitment to promoting social harmony, religious tolerance and interfaith cohesion.

Addressing the meeting, the CM Punjab said the role of the National Paigham-e-Aman Committee in countering terrorism and extremism was commendable, adding that the participation of leading religious scholars and minority representatives reflected unity and confidence.

She said minorities in Punjab enjoyed a sense of security due to the provincial government’s policies and stressed that no discrimination was being practised against them. She maintained that provincial laws were enforced strictly against criminals, not ordinary citizens, and that preventing violations of law was essential to safeguarding all schools of thought.

The chief minister praised Home Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique, provincial ministers Bilal Yasin and Shafay Hussain, the inspector general of police, the home secretary and other officials for their efforts in maintaining law and order. She also said reforms beyond the existing legal framework had been introduced in the prison system.

Referring to Muharram security arrangements, the CM Punjab paid tribute to Punjab Police personnel for performing duties for up to 18 hours in extreme heat, saying their commitment reflected exemplary professionalism. She stated that coordinated standard operating procedures and guidelines should govern the observance of religious rituals.

She said Pakistan was proud of the success achieved under the leadership of its civil and military authorities during Marka-i-Haq, adding that the country earned respect and prestige internationally during the Iran-US tensions. She credited the political and military leadership as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for enhancing Pakistan’s standing on the global stage.

The chief minister warned that the country faced both visible and invisible enemies, saying the latter spread negative narratives through society. She urged all stakeholders to collectively counter hate campaigns and misinformation.

Expressing grief over the murder of a six-year-old girl in Sargodha, CM Maryam said police had traced and arrested the suspect through forensic evidence. She said she personally took immediate notice of cases involving violence against women and children and would not rest until the accused were arrested. She claimed that crime had declined significantly in Punjab due to strict monitoring and administrative measures.

She said ensuring the protection of citizens, their children and businesses was her foremost responsibility, adding that she would consider herself unsuccessful if public safety was compromised. She reaffirmed her commitment to fulfilling her constitutional and humanitarian responsibilities throughout her tenure.

The chief minister urged parents not to leave children unattended near canals during the summer and warned of strict action against those stealing manhole covers, saying innocent lives would not be put at risk. She also advised parents not to send girls alone to tuition centres or places where their safety could be endangered.

CM Punjab said drug trafficking, including smuggling through drones, had become widespread but the government had taken effective measures to curb the menace. She also expressed concern over corporal punishment in educational institutions and domestic violence.

Calling for a greater role of mosques and religious platforms in public awareness, she said the pulpit and prayer niche (minbar-o-mehrab) must play a more effective role in social reform. She urged religious scholars to help eliminate sectarianism, hatred and character assassination, and to promote peace and tolerance across the province.

Highlighting Muharram arrangements, the chief minister said comprehensive security measures had been put in place for processions and gatherings. She said deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners remained in the field despite extreme weather, while the “Suthra Punjab” campaign ensured cleanliness of procession routes, sprinkling of rose-scented water, use of smog guns and sprinklers to reduce heat, and provision of mobile sabeels, mobile lighting, langar and medical camps through “Clinics on Wheels”. Provincial ministers also remained in the field to supervise security and administrative arrangements.

She said Eid-ul-Azha sanitation arrangements were among the best in the province’s history, adding that the government accorded equal respect to Eid, Muharram, Eid Miladun Nabi, Christmas, Holi, Baisakhi and Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary. She maintained that no political or religious discrimination existed in any provincial welfare scheme and that protecting minority rights was in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

The CM Punjab announced that preparations and celebrations for Eid Miladun Nabi would commence immediately. She said upgradation and expansion work was under way at the shrine of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh in Lahore, similar development was continuing at the shrine of Hazrat Baba Fariduddin Masood Ganj Shakar in Pakpattan, while revamping of the shrine of Bibi Pak Daman had been completed to facilitate visitors.

She also urged citizens to report hate material circulating on social media and said action would be taken against those spreading hatred and division online. Concluding her address, she prayed for Pakistan’s continued progress, prosperity and dignity.

Representatives of all schools of thought and minority communities jointly reaffirmed their support for the government’s peace and harmony agenda. They praised the foolproof Muharram arrangements, including security, medical camps, drinking water facilities and sanitation services, and appreciated the round-the-clock efforts of the cleanliness staff.

The committee also commended the prime minister and the military leadership for their efforts to promote peace in the region during tensions involving the United States and Iran, saying these initiatives had enhanced Pakistan’s international stature. It stressed that the spread of false propaganda, hate speech and malicious campaigns on social media must be eliminated completely.