December 28, 2008	Sunday	Zilhaj 29, 1429

KARACHI, Dec 27: Some 600 Ulema, Mashaikh and religious leaders attended a conference on Saturday which the organisers described as the biggest ever meeting of leaders of all schools of thought in the city.

The aim of the meeting was to demonstrate and foster religious harmony, especially during Muharram.

The nazim of the Jamshed town, Javed Ahmed, organised the meeting.

Addressing the meeting, Provincial Minister Shoaib Ahmed Bukhari requested the religious leaders to come forward and eliminate sectarianism from society. He urged them to demonstrate and promote tolerance and peace and play a positive role to develop patience for creating mutual respect, understanding, and harmony.

MNA Waseem Akhtar and Sindh IT Minister Raza Haroon spoke at the gathering and called for preparing a policy to forge unity among people so that internal weaknesses could be overcome.

They said unity among people would never allow anyone to cast an evil eye on the country.

They said the MQM had always thwarted conspiracies hatched to disturb law and order.

They said Ulema and people have to show unity during Muharram so that sectarian differences could not be exploited.

Town Nazim Javed Ahmed said that Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain had taught the party workers to always remain committed to serving the human beings.

He said: “If we follow the teachings of Islam, we can overcome all difficulties.”

He said Pakistan was facing internal and external machinations but the country’s very existence could be ensured with mutual unity.

He said both police and the town administration were taking steps for a peaceful observance of Muharram.

MNA Rasheed Godel, Naib Nazim Ziauddin Jamal, TPO Javed Akbar Riaz, TMO M. Ahmed Memon, Maulana Tanvirul Huq Thanvi, Mufti Usman Yar Khan, Qari Abdul Hye, Maulana Asad Deobandi, Qari Saeed Qasmi, Maulana Ali Akbar, Allama Deedar Shah, Allama Agha Nadir, Shah Sirajul Huq Qadri, Maulana Amir Abdullah Farooqi, Syed Shah Ferozuddin Rehmani, Allama Ali Karar Taqvi and other religious leaders were present at the event.

Nishtar Park renovation

For the first time in 40 years, the historical Nishtar Park is to be renovated and developed, says a press statement.

The planned development works include installation of surveillance cameras around and inside the park to monitor public meetings to be held in the park.

The development work will start on Dec 28 after its formal launching by City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal.—APP