MULTAN: President Arif Alvi has said all the Muslims were ready to scarify their lives for the honor of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), however no innocent person should be harmed over the blasphemy issue.

Addressing the participants of a one-day Sufi conference organised by the Bahauddin Zakariya University’s Islamic Studies Department here on Thursday, the president said Islam propagates protection of rights and the message should be highlighted.

“People should get their rights, and the facilities of justice, education, health, employment and housing should be provided to all the people in Naya Pakistan,” he said.

Foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said there was a need to follow the teachings of saints to improve the country’s image.

He said the PTI government wanted the seminaries’ students to have skill-oriented education to enable them to play a role in the country’s development.

He said the Ulema’s recommendations should be sought to fight extremism.

“The academia from various universities should also be contacted for the same purpose,” he suggested.

Later, talking to the media, the foreign minister said his recent visit to China was fruitful and meetings with the top Chinese leadership were encouraging.

He said the next phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was discussed at length with the Chinese leadership. He said a review petition had been filed against the acquittal of Aasia Bibi by Supreme Court.

“According to my information, Aasia Bibi has not been sent abroad. However, the ministry concerned could provide accurate information in this regard,” he said.

He said without considering any internal or external pressure, the legal aspects of Aasia’s case should be focused.

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2018