LAHORE, Aug 11: Peace in the province guarantees its progress and prosperity, and unemployment can only be reduced if the pace of development is accelerated.

This was stated by Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi while talking to a delegation of religious leaders which met him under the leadership of Jamaat Ahle Sunnat Pakistan chief Syed Riaz Hussain here on Friday. Secretary Auqaf Raees Abbas Zaidi and former federal minister Haji Hanif Tayyab were also present on the occasion.

The chief minister said ulema were playing an important role in maintaining religious harmony and elimination of sectarianism. Peace and security could be ensured only through the promotion of real Islamic teachings.

He urged ulema to motivate people to get education as no society could develop without it. “We would have to promote tolerance and brotherhood to maintain peace in the society,” he said.

The chief minister said the Seerat Academy and the Quran Complex were being established in Lahore. The academy would help promote religious education and research in it. It would have a rare collection of books on the life of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and Islam.

A Quran museum would be established in the Quran Complex where rare manuscripts of the Holy Book would be preserved. There would be a Quran library having translations of the Holy Book in various languages, and its tafasir.

He said the Punjab Quran Board had been constituted to promote learning of Quran, and collect and preserve its rare copies. The board would establish Quran Mahals at tehsil level. It would be ensured to give representation to ulema belonging to all schools of thought in the board.

He appreciated ulema of all sects included in the Ittehad Bainul Muslemeen Committee for playing a vital role in the promotion of tolerance and maintenance of peace in the province.

The chief minister said effective measures were being taken to control obscenity and stern action would be taken against those found involved in it. The government would ensure that all cultural activities were held decently.