PESHAWAR, Dec 20: The NWFP minister for auqaf, social welfare and minority affairs Qari Roohullah Madani has said that almost all religions emphasize peace and tolerance.

He was speaking at a joint Christmas and Eid Milan function at the Ladies Club, University Town, Peshawar, organized by Town Three government.

The minister said that the birth of Christ meant peace and security for mankind, and it’s time people of the Divine Books adhered to their common teachings.

He said that security and welfare of the minorities in Pakistan was guaranteed in the constitution and law of the country.

The minister assured that minorities would be treated with equality and no harm to them would be tolerated.

The minister on behalf of the governor NWFP announced 200 Christmas gifts for the poor among the Christian community.

Others who spoke on the occasion were the federal minister for tourism and minority affairs Col (retd) S.K. Tressler, Dr Mohammad Iqbal Khalil, speaker district assembly, Haji Saadat Khan Naib Nazim Town Three, James Iqbal, member district assembly, general councillors, Pervez Masih, Ms Javed Gill and Javed Masih.

Earlier, the federal minister S. K.Tressler, provincial minister Qari Roohullah Madani and speaker district assembly Dr Mohammad Iqbal Khalil cut the Christmas cake.—NNI