ISLAMABAD, Dec 12: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has called upon religious leaders and scholars to play their role in uniting the Ummah and in countering the negative propaganda being unleashed against Islam and the Muslims.

Talking to a delegation of ulema and mashaikh drawn from all over the country at the Prime Minister's House on Sunday, he said Pakistan was a peace-loving country wishing to resolve issues through peaceful means.

He said the nation should work together to counter the poisonous propaganda against Islam and added that this objective could be achieved well by forging unity among the Muslims.

The premier said ulema and mashaikh should highlight the bright and moderate face of Islam. Pakistan, he said, was the fortress of Islam and its progress and prosperity meant the strength and success of the Muslim world. "We have to strengthen this fortress by promoting unity in our ranks."

He asked the religious scholars to guide people to the right path and help them set up a society based on understanding, love and tolerance. Mr Aziz said the country had been pulled out of the economic crisis and its defence had been made impregnable.

He said Pakistan's peaceful nuclear programme was only to ensure its defence and the country had no aggressive design against any neighbour. Pakistan, he said, was a peace-loving country and was working to promote peace in the region.

He said there was a need to discourage the elements that were creating hurdles in the execution of development projects. Religious Affairs Minister Ijazul Haq and ruling PML secretary-general Mushahid Hussain Syed also attended the meeting.

WOMEN LAWYERS: At a separate meeting, the prime minister asked women lawyers to help provide quick and inexpensive justice to the common man. Talking to a delegation of female lawyers, Mr Aziz mentioned the steps the government had initiated for the welfare and development of women in the country so that they could freely work for national development and progress.