TAXILA, Feb 13: The government has failed to take practical measures to root out sectarianism in the country. This was stated by Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) Vice- President Allama Sajid Naqvi while talking to newsmen after attending a seminar here on Sunday.

The seminar titled "The message of Imam Hussain and current challenges" was organized by the Jafaria Council in collaboration with Awan-i-Danish, Wah Cantonment. Mr Naqvi said the government after banning some religious parties had taken no other step to root out sectarianism from the country. He said provision of speedy justice was the only solution to the menace of sectarianism.

He said the government had also failed to protect Shia leaders and no culprit involved in the killing of Shia leaders had been punished according to the law. He alleged that the accused involved in the killing of an Irani cadet, PTV director Owan Rizvi and making life attempt on his (Naqvi's) family members were still at large.

Speaking at the seminar, the MMA leader said Islam was the religion of peace, tolerance and brotherhood. He said it was the need of the hour that we should draw a line between Jihad and terrorism.

"The West wants to secularise our institutions and in this connection it has launched a twenty-year plan under which all our institutions would be secularised," he said.

He said as a first step our curricula would be westernised on the pretext of liberalization. He asked the Muslims around the world to follow the footsteps of Hazrat Imam Hussain to face the challenges. MMA district Vice-President Allama Jalil Naqvi, Malik Najeebur Rehman Arshad and Pir Naqeebur Rehman also spoke.