Interfaith harmony is a pre-requisite for socio-economic development of the country: Raja Pervez Ashraf

ISLAMABAD, June 01 (SABAH): Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervez Ashraf has said that interfaith harmony is a pre-requisite for socio-economic development of the country. He said that Pakistan is a country with diverse cultures and faiths and every citizen holds equal status irrespective of their religion, cast or creed. The Speaker said that without inclusivity of all, the country cannot be led to the path of progress.

Raja Pervez Ashraf expressed these views while addressing the Conference “Diversity, Equity & Inclusion” jointly organized by Freedom of Religion Leadership Network (FORB), IIU International Research Institute (IRI) and Paigham-e-Pakistan in Islamabad on Wednesday.

Raja Pervez Ashraf has said that Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, the architect of the Constitution of Pakistan, focused on inclusion of provision of basic rights for all especially for the religious minorities. He said that Constitution of Pakistan guarantees freedom to every citizen to practice their religious believes. He said that the very presence of former MNA Ms. Asiya, an active member of Jamiat ulama Islam clearly indicates inclusiveness of minorities in the political process. He said that inter-faith harmony and tolerance is vital for progress and development of any society.

Stressing upon the political leadership to play its positive role in propagating tolerance and peace in the society, the Speaker said that tolerance and peace could help people to live in co-existence. He also said that prejudice and hatred are antithesis to social cohesion and harmony. He also said that inculcating values of peace and tolerance is interlinked with mass education and literacy. The Speaker said that extremism is a global issue and its rise is a real threat to tolerant society across the world. He underlined that propagation of tolerance and peace was also the prime responsibility of the mass media. The Speaker applauded the efforts of Former MNA Ms. Asiya Nasir, IRI and all others on successful organization of this Conference.