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LAHORE, Jan 19 (APP):Provincial Minister for Health and Chairman Cabinet Committee on Law and Order Khawaja Salman Rafiq met a delegation comprising leaders and representatives of 10 religious seminaries at the Punjab Home Department on Monday.
The delegation was led by Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council and Prime Minister Coordinator for Religious Harmony Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi.
The delegation included representatives of various religious boards and institutions, including Wafaq-ul-Madaris wal Jamiaat Deenia Pakistan, Nizam-ul-Madaris Pakistan, Wafaq-ul-Madaris Al-Islamia Razvia, Majma-ul-Uloom Al-Islamia, Tanzim-ul-Madaris Taleem-ul-Kitab wal Hikmah, Kanz-ul-Madaris, Ittehad-ul-Madaris Al-Arabia Pakistan, Ittehad-ul-Madaris Al-Islamia, Jamiat Ahle Hadith Jamia Al-Badr Al-Islamia, and the Board of Islamic Education.
A detailed exchange of views was held with prominent scholars of all schools of thought on the overall law and order situation in the province and the promotion of mutual tolerance, harmony and interfaith unity.
Secretary Home Punjab Dr Ahmed Javed Qazi, Secretary Auqaf Dr Ehsan Bhutta, former Secretary Auqaf Syed Tahir Raza Bukhari, Additional IG Operations Punjab, DIG Counter Terrorism Department, DIG Special Branch, Additional Secretary Home, Chairman Charity Commission and other senior officers were also present.
Speaking on the occasion, Khawaja Salman Rafiq said that the Punjab government is promoting interfaith harmony and unity among Muslims across the province. He said that all schools of thought are respected equally and religious scholars are an important and honorable segment of society.
Consultations regarding the registration of religious seminaries are ongoing and meetings with representatives of other seminaries are also expected soon, he added.
The provincial minister said that religious scholars play a vital role in social reform and moral guidance. Salman Rafiq added that CM Punjab has launched a historic honorarium programme for mosque Imams, while the registration process of Imams is continuing on a permanent basis.
He emphasised that unity among Muslims and harmony among all sects is the need of the hour, adding that following the path of righteousness ensures social welfare and stability. The minister said religious seminaries are playing an important role in the moral training of students.
Secretary Home Punjab Dr Ahmed Javed Qazi said that religious seminaries can be registered either under the Societies Registration Act or with the federal government’s DG-RE. He said that respected religious scholars always promote peace and tolerance and guiding people towards the true spirit of religion is their great service.
Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi welcomed the Punjab government’s efforts to promote unity among Muslims and assured full cooperation for harmony and religious tolerance. He said that dialogue and mutual consultation are the guarantee of social stability.
At the end of the meeting, special prayers were offered for progress, security and prosperity of the country and the nation.