Speakers at a conference have stressed the need for creation of religious harmony and awareness against extremism, terrorism to overcome lawlessness in the country.
The conference 'Istehkaam-e-Pakistan' was organised under aegis of Hadyat-ul-Hadia at Peshawar Press Club Sunday wherein people belonging to various religions participated. Key speakers were Jamaat-i-Islami central leader Professor Mohammad Ibrahim, advisor to KP chief minister on minorities Sardar Suran Singh, Bishop of Peshawar Humphrey Sarfraz Peter, Hadyat-ul-Hadia President Pir Haroon Shah Gillani, Shiite scholar Allama Hussasin Imami, Qari Sher Yaqoob, Amir Hamza, Khurshid Ali Khan, etc.
Condemning the attack on Bacha Khan University, JI leader said blood shed in the regions, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had been started due the ongoing war on terror which had been imposed on Muslims, particularly in the region due to coalition partnership with United States.
He said there were many examples which proved that terrorists had targeted our law enforcement agencies and public for the only cause of supporting US's stand on terrorism, saying that situation would further worsen if our government failed to stop supporting war on terror.
Humphrey Peter said maximum of the issues had been created due to religious fanaticism, saying that religious leaders should play their role effectively to create religious harmony. He also referred to violence against Muslims and Christians in India and described the situation very dangerous for religious minorities.
Likewise, Pir Haroon Gillani urged people to join hands for fighting enemies of Islam and those hatching conspiracies against our country. He said the challenges being faced by the country currently needed unity and cohesion among people of various religions and sects.
Similarly, another religious scholar, Qari Sher Yaqoob said that anti-state elements had started war against Muslims on different angles to create hatred on basis of sects, regions and religions but it is our duty to forge unity. Referring to massacre at Bacha Khan University and Army Public School Peshawar, he said these tragic incidents proved that terrorists were trying to target our new generation.
Shiite leader Allama Hussain Imami said the idea of creation of Pakistan was enough for understanding that it was only state where people of different religions could offer prayers freely however our enemies never accepted us.
The trend of personal interests and the menace of corruption, he said had hollowed basis of various departments like cancer, adding that it was need of the hour to fight against all ills. He said it was very unfortunate that terrorists were targeting places of worship and educational institutions which had created a sense of insecurity among maximum of people. He also urged government to feel its responsibility in true sense and provide security to people and religions places.
Sardar Suran Singh said our soil was like mother and everyone was bound to play role for its protection and development, saying that it was time people of different religions should come forward to fight terrorism.
"Innocent children, women and senior citizens are killed for only reason that they are Pakistanis and thus people belonging to different religions should join hands as Pakistani irrespective of affiliation with sects, regions and religions," he said.
He said our successive governments had never paid serious attention towards reforms, development and progress otherwise the issues of terrorism would have never risen, saying that rulers in the country had always neglected issues.