Religious leaders to help contain sectarian strife

G-B chief minister solicits opinions of representatives of various schools of thoughts.

GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Mehdi Shah held separate meetings on Friday with religious leaders representing various schools of thought and sought their active role to thwart nefarious designs of anti-social elements in the region.

The meetings were held to solicit feedback from religious leaders on the simmering sectarian strife in the region, said an official present at the occasion. The discussions revolved around resolving the hurdles that contribute to the volatility of the law and order situation and act as an impediment to the establishment of durable peace in the region, the official added.

The chief minister asked the religious leaders to step forward and play an active role in maintaining peace in the region.

He urged the religious leaders to keep an eye for disruptive elements so that proper action could be taken against them. He said the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards such elements for ensuring peace in the region.

The government is also taking a keen interest in the development of neglected and remote areas for which all available resources are being utilised, the chief minister added.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22^nd, 2011.