Special Participation of Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gilani and Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora
By Our Correpondent
LAHORE: international peace conference titled “Contemporary Challenges to Global Peace” was held in Venice, Italy, under the Shahbaz Bhatti Mission, led by renowned peace advocate Dr. Paul Bhatti. The conference brought together distinguished religious, political, parliamentary, and civil society figures from both Europe and Pakistan.
Prominent participants included Chairman Senate of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, Grand Imam of Badshahi Mosque, Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, archbishops from various regions of Italy, members of parliaments, representatives of civil society, and organizations actively promoting interfaith harmony.
In his address, Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, emphasized that the Shahbaz Bhatti Mission stands for humanity, harmony, and peace. He said that minorities in Pakistan are playing a significant role in the nation’s progress, stability, and peaceful development.
We must rise above ideological, religious, and ethnic differences to serve humanity. This was Shahbaz Bhatti’s dream, and it is our shared responsibility to turn it into reality,” he stated.
He further remarked that
Peace is not merely the absence of war; it is the presence of justice, dignity, and respect for diversity. The global community must embrace this message to prevent the world from spiraling into deeper conflict.
Minister Arora highlighted that Pakistan is a peace-loving nation and wishes to convey to the world that sustainable peace can only be achieved through mutual respect, dialogue, and cooperation among all religions and communities.
The conference stressed the importance of dialogue, social justice, and interfaith collaboration as the foundation for global peace. It was collectively agreed that only by eliminating prejudice and intolerance from societies can lasting peace be established across the world.
