LAHORE, Dec 25: Adherence to real Islam and restoration of genuine democracy are a pre-requisite for curbing terrorism in Pakistan.

This was stated by ARD secretary-general and Muslim Christian Federation International chairman Qazi Abdul Qadeer Khamosh while speaking at an Eid-Christmas get together held at the Bishop House here on Tuesday.

Mr Khamosh said that all religions stood for peace. Every citizen had the right to live in peace irrespective of colour and creed in our multi-cultural, multi-linguistic and multi-religious society, but some political groups were using religion as a cover to encourage violence for the promotion of their vested interests.

He said Pakistan was being wrongly projected in the world as it had been ruled by the military dictators for most part of its existence.

The forthcoming elections, he said, would provide a good opportunity to the people to reject the advocates of extremism and elect the people believing in the supremacy of the Constitution and parliamentary democracy.

Bishop of Raiwind Samuel Azariah said that no religion asked its followers to kill those who believed in other religions. Every religion enjoined its followers to love their fellow human beings but it was unfortunate that people were being killed in the name of religion.

Inter-Faith Harmony chairperson Aleena Tiwana said the Muslims, the Christians and the Jews would have to unite for struggle against extremism which was breeding hatred among them despite their common belief in God and prophets. A bad name was brought to religion whenever there was terrorism in mosques and churches in Pakistan.

Maulana Omar Farooq Qaddusi, Maulana Muhammad Usman Noori and Maulana Mahmood Ahmed Butt appealed to the people to reject extremism and hatred and struggle for peace and love between the people.

PWF: Need for converting Pakistan into an Islamic, democratic welfare state was stressed for paying homage to the Quaid-i-Azam at a meeting of the Pakistan Workers Federation (PWF) on Tuesday.