LAHORE, Feb 21: Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on Saturday urged ulema of all schools of thought to promote religious harmony and eradicate sectarianism from the country.

He was presiding over a meeting of Ittehad Bainul Muslemeen here at the Civil Secretariat. Ulema belonging to different sects, law and Auqaf ministers, the additional chief secretary, home secretary and the additional IGP attended the meeting.

The chief minister said the government believed that ulema would ensure peace and promote fraternity during Muharram as per declared principles. "We have stopped the practice of arresting people in the name of peace during Muharram."

He said the government would ensure sectarian harmony. Literature fanning sectarianism should never be published, he warned the ulema.

The chief minister said all steps to ensure peace during Muharram were being taken in consultation with the Ittehad committee. Ulema had proved their seriousness by playing a role in restoration of peace in the province, he said.

Islam teaches peace, tolerance and brotherhood. Several lives had been lost because of sectarianism which would have to be curbed at any cost, he said.

The chief minister said ensuring peace especially during Muharram was the collective responsibility of all and sundry. The pace of development could not be accelerated without peace. "If we want to overcome poverty and unemployment and establish peace in the society, we would have to promote tolerance and camaraderie."

In a communique issued at conclusion of the meeting, all the ulema supported the steps taken by the government for ensuring peace during Muharram. They assured the government of their full support for creating sectarian harmony and curbing terrorism or sectarianism in the name of religion. They vowed to make all efforts to establish peace and promote brotherhood in the province especially during Muharram.

Several ulema also spoke on the occasion, suggesting security arrangements during Muharram.