ISLAMABAD, Oct 31: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has stressed the need for promoting interfaith and inter-culture harmony to create a world of peace and tolerance. He was talking to a 35-member Budhist delegation from Japan here on Tuesday. The delegation was led by the chief priest of Kenchoji Temple of Tokyo, Shoudu Yoshid.

Mr Aziz said Pakistan welcomed people of all faiths and was working for building better understanding and promoting tranquillity among different faiths.

He said that despite the predominant population of Muslims in Pakistan, all faiths under the constitution were allowed to fully practice their religions.

He said Pakistan stood for peace, tolerance and interfaith harmony and was making efforts to bridge the gap among faiths to bring close each other for a peaceful society.

He said Islam was a religion of peace, tolerance and harmony and taught its followers to promote these principles.

Referring to Pakistan-Japan relations, the prime minister said the two countries enjoyed close relations in all fields and hoped that the ties would continue to grow.

The prime minister acknowledged Japan’s assistance in improving sectors of education, health and infrastructure in Pakistan.

He said Pakistan was situated at the crossroads of Central, South and South-East Asia and could play the role of a road for peace, understanding and harmony among different cultures and faiths.

He said Pakistan had rich Budhist heritage and “we are proud of the heritage being a message of peace, harmony and interaction among cultures and faiths”.

He said religious sites in the country were being protected, developed and maintained.

Mr Yoshid expressed gratitude for inviting him to Pakistan to visit religious sites.

He thanked the government for donating a replica of fasting Budha to the Kenchoji Temple.