ISLAMABAD, Aug 2: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has called for a balanced approach in making the Hudood laws conform to the spirit and teachings of Islam and stressed the need for addressing key areas of concern to women.

He was speaking at the launching of a research report on ‘Philanthropy by Pakistani Diaspora in the USA’ by the Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy here on Wednesday.

He said scholars of various school of thought were of the opinion that Hudood laws needed to conform to the Holy Quran and Sunnah.

He said the issue was being debated to evolve consensus on the need of changing the Hudood Ordinance in the light of recommendations of eminent Islamic scholars. However, he said it was for parliament to debate and take a decision.

The president asked the expatriates to help promote inter-faith harmony as conflicts among faiths were bad for mankind. He said inter-faith harmony would make the world a better place for the coming generations.

He urged them to support government’s efforts to alleviate poverty and improve education and health facilities as part of efforts to combat extremism.

President Musharraf said that poverty and lack of basic health facilities made one an easy tool in the hands of extremists.

“Therefore it is the health, education and poverty alleviation that we need to address,” he told the gathering of diplomats, scholars and representatives of philanthropic organisations.

President Musharraf said the government had taken various measures in the past six years to address the issues of health and poverty alleviation and bring about a visible change in the life of the common man.

He sought support in efforts to attract foreign investment into the country.