25 December 2004	Saturday	12 Ziqa'ad 1425

ISLAMABAD, Dec 24: The Pakistan Muslim League president, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain Friday said his party would celebrate 2005 as year of inter-faith harmony to bring closer various civilizations.

"I would like to announce that Pakistan Muslim League would like 2005 to be the year of inter- faith harmony and peace and promote the policy of live and let live all over the world," he said addressing a function organized by PML to join Christian brethren in celebrating Christmas.

Welcoming the Christian priests and the community, Chaudhry Shujaat extended warm greetings, goodwill and Merry Christmas to them on his own behalf and of the party as well as Muslims in Pakistan.

He said Islam and other religions believe in peace that guarantees equal opportunities and rights to everyone irrespective of caste, colour, creed and religion. Founder of Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, in his speeches several times, also assured all communities in the country, of equal rights and opportunities as citizens of Pakistan, he added.

"I strongly feel and believe that the concept of minority in religion should be abolished gradually in Pakistan," the PML chief said. "We are all Pakistanis irrespective of religion and want to promote this concept from the PML platform," he added.

The PML president also talked of uneasiness among Jews, Christians and the Muslims, he witnessed during the recent presidential election in the United States. "This state should end, failing which I apprehend that the extremists whoever they may be, will try to exploit the situation, and that may even lead to a clash of civilizations," he stated.

Mr Shujaat said he also emphasized in his speech at George Washington University, on the initiation of dialogue among civilisations at local, national and international level to create positive atmosphere for promoting peace and overcome misunderstandings.

The ruling party secretary-general Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed said, the PML envisaged tolerant, democrat and moderate Pakistan where people from all religions enjoy their rights.

"President Pervez Musharraf and PML government always endeavoured to assure equal rights for minorities under the law and provide them better opportunities," Mr Mushahid said.

He accentuated the urgency of religious harmony amongst believers of various creeds by promoting the atmosphere of inter-civilisations dialogue. "This kind of a dialogue must focus on interfaith harmony, resolving political disputes and deciding on the future related matters," he added.

He lauded the contribution of Christian community in progress of the country and imparting quality education to people. He said keeping in view the importance of education sector, the government adopted decentralization policy to encourage the private sector in educational institutions.

Minister for Religious Affairs, Ijazul Haq said minorities in the country were enjoying equal opportunities and the government was fully committed to safeguard their rights.

He lauded the Christian community's role in the country's progress. He said President Musharraf took numerous initiatives to safeguard minorities rights and the present government was also fully aware of its obligations to the minorities in the country.

"The government will be protecting the rights of minorities in future as well," Mr Haq assured the participants. Mushtaq Victor, Parliamentary Secretary for Minorities Affairs appreciated the generosity of PML.

"Due to numerous steps by President Musharraf and the present government the Christian community was enjoying equal status," he added. Mr Victor specially mentioned the restoration of joint electorate system. -APP