QUETTA: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Mohammad Yousuf, has said that terrorism can be defeated and sectarianism can be eliminated on permanent basis if religious scholars belonging to different schools of thought promote tolerance and inter-faith harmony.

Addressing a conference on inter-faith harmony here on Tuesday, he appealed to religious scholars to support the government and the army in the fight against terrorism and guide the nation in the light of Islamic teachings.

“Under the situation prevailing in the country, it needs inter-faith harmony more than ever,” he said and praised efforts being made by followers of different religions, including Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism, to foster inter-faith harmony.

He said that Islam provided freedom and security to minorities, adding that the government had been protecting life and property of minorities.

He said that a national inter-faith conference would be held in Islamabad soon and renowned religious scholars from different parts of the country would be invited to participate in it.

Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch said: “It is our national and religious obligation to protect minorities as use of force against weaker segments of society is against our traditions and Islamic teachings.”

He said that his government was making efforts to curb sectarian intolerance that had plagued the society.

Referring to his government’s efforts to encourage minorities, the chief minister said that Kelash Nath Kohli, a retired judge of the high court, had been appointed chairman of the Balochistan Public Service Commission.

“It is unfortunate that our society has been inflicted with intolerance, extremism and sectarianism because of wrong policies (of previous governments),” he said. But he noted with satisfaction that the incumbent federal and provincial governments had been striving to curb sectarian violence whereas ulema and people opposed sectarianism.

“Political parties and ulema of Balochistan, particularly Quetta, have been cooperating with the provincial government on the delicate issue.”

Dr Baloch said that Islam was a religion of peace, which called for protection of life and property of minorities and did not allow atrocities against minorities.

Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2015