MULTAN: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said academia, civil society and Sufis (saints) should come forward to play their role to end extremism and promote religious harmony in the region.

He was addressing a two-day workshop on localized countering violent extremism (CVE) approaches, tolerance, religious harmony, conflict prevention, Punjab CVE laws, challenges, and opportunities to counter extremism in south Punjab on Sunday.

The main objective of the orientation workshop was to provide a comprehensive training experience to help participants understand, act upon, promote and sustain peace, tolerance and social harmony. The capacity building orientation was to equip and enable the members with the right mindset, tools, information, and skills to ensure that they are able to carry out their role as positive change agents.

Mr Qureshi condemned a recent attack on a Hindu temple in Bhong and said all stakeholders should come forward to play their role to maintain the tolerant identity and promote the message of peace.

“South Punjab is a peaceful region, where there are excellent examples of brotherhood, fraternity and harmony, but in view of recent events and the time to come, we the people from all walks of life have to play a full role so that we can highlight the positive image of south Punjab in Pakistan and Pakistan’s image in the whole world,” he said.

He said that south Punjab was an important region in terms of peace.

“The peace here has been ideal in terms of brotherhood, love and tolerance. The days of Muharram are approaching. Every citizen should play a positive role.”

He said that peaceful and stable Afghanistan was imperative for the establishment of peace in the region and that Pakistan supported the political settlement of Afghan conflict through comprehensive dialogue among Afghan factions.

He said the solution to Afghan conflict lied in the political settlement and they should have to be aware of those elements who were trying to sabotage the Afghan Peace Process.

He said that Pakistan condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and the nation, Pakistan Army and civilian armed forces have rendered numerous sacrifices while combating the menace of terrorism.

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2021