PESHAWAR: Representatives of various religions have stressed the need for forging unity and creating religious harmony to enable the nation fight terrorism and foil evil designs of anti-state elements.

The conference ‘Istehkaam-i-Pakistan’ was organised under the aegis of Hadyatul Hadia, a religious organisation, at Peshawar Press Club on Sunday wherein people from various religions participated. Key speakers were Jamaat-i-Islami central leader Prof Mohammad Ibrahim, adviser to KP chief minister on minorities Sardar Suran Singh, Bishop of Peshawar Humphrey Sarfraz Peter, Hadyatul Hadia president Pir Haroon Shah Gilani, religious scholar Allama Hussasin Imami, Qari Sher Yaqoob, Amir Hamza, Khurshid Ali Khan, etc.

Condemning the attack on Bacha Khan University, the JI leader said that bloodshed in the region, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, had been started due the ongoing war on terror which had been imposed on Muslims due to coalition with the US.

Prof Ibrahim said that there were many examples which proved that terrorists had targeted the country’s law-enforcement agencies and public for the only cause of supporting the US stand on terrorism. He warned that the situation could worsen if the government failed to stop supporting the war on terror.

‘Istehkaam-i-Pakistan’ conference held in Peshawar

Mr Peter said that most of the issues had been created due to religious fanaticism. He said that the religious leaders should play their role to create religious harmony.

Mr Gilani urged people to join hands for fighting enemies of Islam and those hatching conspiracies against Pakistan. He said that the challenges being faced by the country needed unity among people of various religions and sects.

Qari Yaqoob said that anti-state elements had started war against Muslims to create hatred on the basis of sects, regions and religions.

Referring to the Bacha Khan University and Army Public School incidents, he said that these incidents proved that terrorists were trying to target the new generation. He said that people belonging to different religions should create awareness among people so that they could stand united and fight the enemies at their own as the law-enforcement agencies alone could not eradicate them.

Allama Hussain Imami said that the idea of creation of Pakistan was enough for understanding that it was the only state where people of different religions could offer prayers freely. The trend of personal interests and corruption, he said, had hollowed the basis of various departments. He urged the government to ensure provision of security to the people and religious places.

Suran Singh said that everyone was bound to play role for the protection and development of Pakistan. He said that the people of different religions should come forward to fight terrorism.

He said that the successive governments had never paid attention to reforms and development otherwise the issue of terrorism would have never risen. He called for economic reforms and creation of job opportunities so that the entire nation could take a united stand against terrorism.

Published in Dawn, January 25th, 2016