Need for national unity stressed: chief minister Punjab seeks end to petty differences

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that there is a need for promoting national unity and cohesion by setting aside petty differences to face anti-state elements with full might. He also said Pakistan is passing through the most critical phase of its history and the situation demands that Ulema of all schools of thought should play an active role for the strength and survival of the country.
He was talking to a delegation of Ulema led by Quaid Millat-e-Jafferia Allama Syed Sajid Ali Naqvi here on Thursday, disclosed an official. Provincial Minister for Auqaf Ehsanuddin Qureshi, Chairman Mutehida Ulema Board Punjab Pir Amin-ul-Hasnat Shah, Members National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Bilal Yasin, Member Provincial Assembly Salman Rafiq, Inspector General Police and Secretary Home were present on the occasion.
Shahbaz said Pakistan is facing the serious challenge of terrorism and hence the nation will have to forge unity to eliminate the scourge of terrorism and expose those elements as are weakening and pushing the country to the verge of disaster. "The tragic incidents that took place during the last few months have promoted disillusionment and fear in the society. Sectarianism is compounding the situation and Ulema will have to play an active role for rooting out this menace," he added.
He also said if we did not reform ourselves and sought guidance from Uswa-e-Hasna, we will meet a disaster. "It is time for patriotic Ulema and Mashaikh to promote unity and harmony as this is the only way to control lawlessness. During his last tenure stringent punishments were awarded to the elements involved in sectarianism and destroying law and order situation and it yielded positive results," he added.
Quaid Millat-e-Jafferia Allama Syed Sajid Ali Naqvi said Pakistan is facing serious problems and elimination of sectarianism is the dire need of the hour. He also said amendments are essential in the law for awarding exemplary punishment to terrorists for eradicating this scourge. He assured his full co-operation for the supremacy of law and elimination of sectarian hatred.
The delegation included Pir Muhammad Amin-ul-Hasnaat Shah, Sheikh Manzoor Hussain, Syed Ali Imran Shah, Haji Syed M Raza Shah, Qazi Ghulam Murtaza, Syed Shabbir Hussain Naqvi, Chaudhry Fida Hussain, Maulana Tanvir-ul-Kazim and Alhaj Sheikh Tauqir Hussain Baba.