ISLAMABAD, August 30 (APP): Caretaker Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Aneeq Ahmed, addressing the Interfaith Harmony Conference at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts on Wednesday, emphasized the need for unity among all faiths and condemned any attempts to tarnish the image of religions.

“Who are those individuals seeking to distort the essence of faith?” asked Aneeq, as he addressed a captivated audience. “We are brothers, and in our presence, any attack on a place of worship is a grave injustice.”

Reflecting on recent events such as the incident in Jaranwala, the minister stated that such incidents should never have occurred. However, he pointed out that there had been even worse atrocities against various communities in neighboring India.

“Those who lost their lives in India among the Christian brethren are not just Christians but also our brothers,” he passionately expressed.

He further reiterated that Pakistan was not merely a “State,” but an Islamic Republic. “We are the People of the Book, and we are supplicants of the One God,” he proclaimed.

Aneeq extended his message of inclusivity by highlighting the divine nature of all scriptures, including Torah, Psalms, Bible, and the Holy Quran. “These are all divine revelations, the final one being the Quran,” he affirmed.

Turning his attention to the tragic incident in Manipur, India, where over 150 Christians lost their lives, the minister clarified that no Christian had been harmed in Pakistan. “We believe that what happened in Jaranwala should never have happened,” he stated emphatically.

He applauded the collective stance of the nation alongside their Christian brethren in the face of the Jaranwala tragedy. “We are a resilient nation, and our protest speaks volumes,” he declared.

In his closing remarks, Aneeq urged that while any incident should be prevented, it must be handled through legal means. “We must not take the law into our own hands,” he emphasized, leaving the audience inspired and reflective.

ISLAMABAD, Aug 30 (APP): Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza Wednesday called on President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon.

The CJCSC, , who is on official visit to Tajikistan, also had separate meetings with other government and military officials during which matters of mutual interests were discussed, an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release said.

ISLAMABAD, Aug 30 (APP): Caretaker Minister for Interior Sarfraz Bugti on Wednesday vowed to wipe out the menaces of smuggling and terrorism from Pakistan with the full support of the nation.

The caretaker government was fully determined to eliminate smuggling of any food items and dollars from the country, he said while talking to a private television channel.

Smuggling of essential items and dollars were criminal activities which must be stopped at any cost, he added.

About the May 9 mayhem, he said a deep conspiracy was hatched against the security institutions. However, now the law enforcement agencies were fully vigilant to cease any type of violence and hate speech against them.

As regards the cipher issue, he said investigations were underway. The law enforcement agencies (LEAs) had arrested some people to further probe the matter.

Sarfraz Bugti said they had zero-tolerance against violent material, and hate speech against the state institutions. No one would be allowed to create violence anywhere in the country, he added.

To a question, he said it had been decided in the meeting of Council of Common Interest (CCI) that the general elections would be held after accomplishing the task of census and delimitation. The delimitation process would take some three to four months, he said adding that Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) would announce the date for next polls.

The caretaker government would provide all necessary assistance to the ECP to hold free and fair elections, he said.

To a question about the unsuccessful operation against the criminals of Kacha area, he said there was a need to purge the police force of politics so that it could perform its mandated job.

ISLAMABAD, Aug 30 (APP): The faith leaders, in response to the recent interfaith disturbances and acts of violence that shook Jaranwala, on Wednesday came together and passed a unanimous resolution, fostering interfaith harmony, promoting religious tolerance, and nurturing peaceful coexistence among all communities in Pakistan.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony convened a successful ‘Interfaith Harmony Conference’ here at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts in which a number of faith leaders, religious scholars, diplomats and people from all walks of life participated with a united vision of unity and inclusivity.

Drawing inspiration from the foundational principles of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, faith leaders and religious scholars reiterated their commitment to unity and harmony.

They paid homage to Jinnah’s historic speech on 11th August, 1947, which emphasized the importance of these ideals in shaping the nation.

They, leveraging the guarantees enshrined in Pakistan’s Constitution, pledged to uphold principles of equality, non-discrimination, and safeguarding life, property, and the practice of religion for every citizen.

In alignment with the National Action Plan, Paigam-e-Pakistan, and the National Security Policy, the attendees vowed to condemn vehemently all acts of sacrilege, vandalism, and violence directed at religious institutions and properties.

Central to their resolve was the protection of religious communities’ rights to practice their faith without fear or prejudice.

They recognized that respectful and open dialogue between different faiths was pivotal for cultivating mutual respect and understanding. Committing to this notion, they aimed to leverage interfaith dialogue as a conduit to bridge gaps and address misconceptions among communities.

Recognizing the importance of education, the leaders advocated for the integration of interfaith education into curricula at all educational levels as this approach seeks to foster a deeper comprehension of various religious traditions and promote an atmosphere of acceptance.

The faith leaders, encouraging active engagement from religious leaders, scholars, and community representatives, championed values of tolerance, compassion, and respect for diversity. Law enforcement agencies were urged to intensify community policing efforts to prevent and promptly address interfaith violence and hate crimes.

Media organizations were called upon to practice responsible journalism, refraining from disseminating content that fuels religious animosity or incites violence.

The leaders acknowledged that nurturing interfaith harmony required the collaborative efforts of government institutions, civil society, religious figures, and citizens.

They supported peaceful methods of conflict resolution, including dialogue, mediation, and legal avenues, addressing grievances and disputes among different religious communities.

Expressing solidarity with the impacted communities in Jaranwala, they reiterated their commitment to assisting in rebuilding and recovery from recent incidents of violence.

In conclusion, the faith leaders affirmed their unwavering dedication to promoting interfaith harmony and religious tolerance throughout Pakistan. Guided by the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and underpinned by the Constitution’s guarantees of equal treatment and religious freedom, they vowed to create a society where diversity was celebrated, and citizens could thrive in an environment of peace, harmony, and mutual respect.