ISLAMABAD, March 5: Pakistan Muslim League Secretary-General Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed has said the PML believes in ensuring equal rights to minorities as party president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has declared 2005 as the year of interfaith harmony.

He was speaking at a prayer meeting organized by the minority wing of the party for the health of Pope John Paul 11 at the PML House. Minister for Information Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Christian leaders and members of parliament attended the meeting.

He lauded the contribution of Christians community in progress of the country and imparting quality education to the people. He said Pope had played an important role in improving relations between Muslims and Christians and promoting peace and harmony in the world.

The PML leader said during Kargil conflict, the Pope was active for peace in the region and favoured the stand of Pakistan. "He is a friend of Pakistan and for this reason President Pervez Musharraf went to Vatican to meet him," he added.

Paying tributes to the pontiff, Mushahid Hussain said after 9/11, the Pope did not consider the ongoing war on terrorism as a war of nations. Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Rashid said the Pope had saved the world from a war of religions.