By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: A high-profile conference on Peace Building and Interfaith Harmony was held in Islamabad with the participation of religious leaders, ambassadors, and government representatives.
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The event was attended by Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, Ambassador of Vatican to Pakistan, Ambassador of Italy, Imam Badshahi Mosque Molana Syed Abdul Khabir Azad, Provincial Minister for Minorities Affairs Punjab Ramesh Singh Arora, Dr. Paul Bhatti representing Shahbaz Bhatti Foundation, and various leaders of different faiths.
Dr. Paul Bhatti welcomed the participants and highlighted the objective of the conference, emphasizing that peace and harmony transcend borders and religions.
Provincial Minister Ramesh Singh Arora, in his address, reaffirmed the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for equal rights of all citizens. He paid tribute to Shahbaz Bhatti Shaheed, stressing that peace building means creating societies rooted in justice, respect, and empathy. He assured that the Punjab Government, under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, is committed to protecting minority rights and promoting dialogue across communities.
Molana Abdul Khabir Azad, Imam of Badshahi Mosque, said that “Islam’s true message is peace, tolerance, and respect for all humanity. Such conferences play a vital role in uniting different faiths for the betterment of society.”
The Vatican Ambassador stated that Dialogue among religions is not only necessary but essential for global peace. Pakistan’s interfaith initiatives are a positive example for the world.
The Italian Ambassador remarked that Italy stands with Pakistan in its efforts for harmony and peaceful coexistence. Diversity, when respected, becomes a true strength for nations.
Federal Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said that the Government of Pakistan is fully committed to promoting interfaith harmony in line with the teachings of our religion and the vision of our forefathers. Together, we can defeat intolerance and extremism. The conference concluded with a joint commitment by all participants to continue efforts for peace, unity, and mutual respect among religions.
