ISLAMABAD, March 15: Management of the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) on Thursday had to face scathing criticism for ignoring some segments of the society in its report launched on ‘Engaging religious scholars for promotion of peace and religious harmony in society.’

After launch of the report on Thursday, civil society activist Tahira Abdullah said it was strange that PIPS did not bother to involve the representatives of majority of the people and launched the report. She regretted that even the representatives of those segments were not present in the launching ceremony.

“The women with over 50 per cent of the nation have not been represented in the report and even none bothered to invite any female scholar at the launching ceremony. Besides, there are 5 per cent minorities but their representatives were also not considered”, she lamented.

Professor Uzma of Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), who is also working for the welfare of the women, asked why women were not involved in it despite the fact that they could influence larger segment of the new generation.

William John from a non-governmental organisation (NGO) said it was astonishing for him that the Christian community had no representation in the report.

“It was very important subject but I have concerns that all the stakeholders should be involved in it because peace and religious harmony in the society is the most important issue of the day but it cannot be achieved without involving all the segments of the society”, he said.

Muhammad Amir Rana, Director PIPS who was present in the function, after listening to the grievances, assured the participants that the management would involve all the stakeholders during preparation of next report. However, he said it was difficult to invite female scholars because PIPS worked according to the advice given by the board members. The institute started this process by defining radicalism in Pakistani prospective, he said.

Earlier, report was launched during a function, in which Director General, Islamic Research Institute (IRI) Khalid Masood, Adviser to Prime Minister from Gilgit-Baltistan Attaullah Shahab, Lawyer Ahmer Bilal Sufi, VC Institute of Islamic Studies Dr Qibla Ayaz and others participated.

Dr Khalid Masood said in his presiding remarks that Pakistan’s society would experience modernity as new changes were taking place globally. The new systems of judiciary, bureaucracy and law and order, sometimes failed to deliver so religious groups should give an alternative.

Bilal Sufi said it was also need of the hour to enlighten the Madrassa students and religious scholars about the global laws and UN charter. “Every citizen is bound to obey the treaty framework of international laws,” he said.

Ataullah Shahab in his remarks said: “Our society is going through a transition period. Some of these changes are expected while some are totally new and we are not ready for the changes particularly those relating to the religion.”

Report has recommended that religious scholars should avoid focusing on points of sectarian differences. It says that all schools of thought should adopt practical measures to stop ill-educated clerics from leading prayers. Mutual respect and tolerance should be promoted.