QUETTA: Kidnapping, targeting and torturing of minorities is contrary to the teachings of Islam and strong norms and values of the tribal society in Balochistan, speakers at a seminar here said on Wednesday.

Politicians, minorities members, members of civil society and lawyers spoke at length about the religious freedom and rights of minorities in Balochistan, Pakistan's geographically biggest and least developed province.

They underlined the need to make coordinated efforts to strengthen religious tolerance and harmony in the province, plagued by an insurgency and growing sectarianism.

“Strong Baloch-Pakhtun traditions protect the rights of minorities,” Senator Rauf Lala of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) said.

The speakers expressed serious concern over the increasing incidents of kidnapping of different minorities groups in Quetta and other volatile parts of Balochistan. They lashed out at law enforcement agencies for their failure to protect the lives and properties of masses.

"We have to think beyond religion and think about humanity,” former chief minister of Balochistan, Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Barozai told participants of the seminar.

Members from Christian, Hindu and Sikh communities participated in the seminar and apprised the participants about their troubles in the province.

“Kidnapping for ransom has become a major issue for us,” Jasbeer Singh, a member of Sikh community said.

He said some elements were bent upon distorting the society and marginalising the minorities in Balochistan.

However, Senator Rauf Lala recalled that in the past minorities used to enjoy freedom under strong tribal, social and political traditions.

“They don’t even have to be called as minorities since they are an important segment of our society,” Lala stated.

The speakers urged upon the Balochistan government to take practical and effective steps for the protection of lives and properties of minorities in the province.