LAHORE: The Model Town massacre was a cruelty and all those responsible for it would soon meet their nemesis along with those who looted the country, said Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri here on Saturday.

Speaking at an international conference on ‘Social Responsibility and World Religions’ arranged by the Minhaj University, the minister promised that justice would be done in the case.

“Both Prime Minister Imran Khan and the government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are very clear on the issue of Model Town tragedy and there was no confusion whatsoever. The victims would get justice at all cost because this is what the Constitution of Pakistan, our religion and international law dictate,” the minister said.

“Both the prime minister and the government are indebted to Tahirul Qadri for his meritorious services for promotion of peace and harmony,”he added.

Speaking as the chief guest to the participants drawn from five countries (Australia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and India), he said the PTI government was fully committed to the Islamic tenets of religious tolerance, harmony and forbearance, which are imperative for survival of a functional and viable state.

He said the PTI fully endorsed agenda of the conference which was arranged by Minhaj University in collaboration with the Punjab Higher Education Commission for promoting religious harmony, rights of minorities and tolerance.

Doctor Charles Andrew Hogg from Australia in his paper stressed the need for optimism. He said expressed concern at heavy spending on purchase of arms and ammunition by many countries, saying the money should be spent for promotion of peace instead.

He said to achieve ultimate inner peace, people should shun all contradictions, prejudices and aggression. He said the life of religious scholars and saints should be followed “to practically change our lives”.

Minhaj University Vice Chancellor Muhammad Aslam Ghouri said the basic objective of the moot was to help students widen their intellectual horizons on the basis of modern technology and research methodologies.

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2018