PM Gilani urges interfaith harmony

Gilani says PPP will continue its struggle to reform all laws according to the Islamic spirit.

OKARA: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Monday the PPP will continue its struggle to reform laws according to Islamic spirit and make Pakistan a welfare and moderate state.

Addressing a Mehfil-e-Milad ceremony on the last day of the 45th Urs of Syed Ismail Shah Bokhari, popularly known as Hazrat Karmanwala Sharif, he said the PPP was the custodian and protector of Namoos-e-Risalat (PBUH) and could not even think of any legislation against it.

The prime minister said some people wanted to impose their personal agenda and system on others through coercion but the government would not allow it. “Islam teaches peace, brotherhood and harmony and there is no space for sectarianism, extremism and terrorism in it,” he added.

He said the issue of Raymond Davis would be resolved according to Pakistani laws. He appealed to Ulema and Mashaikh to play an active role to eliminate terrorism from the country. “The government will continue its war against terrorism and we will have to promote interfaith harmony to check the scourge,” he added.

He said Sufi saints promoted love and peace in society and their role in propagation of Islam and Islamic values was laudable. “Their graves are still a source of inspiration and enlightenment. A visit to their graves enlightens the heart and their teachings reinforce our faith,” he added.

He said the PPP, under the leadership of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, took revolutionary steps for the promotion of Islamic teachings and values. “When Benazir Bhutto came to power, she felt the need for interfaith harmony. She moulded Islamic teachings into a practical framework and told the whole world that Islam has a rare distinction with regard to ethics and human values even after the passage of 1400 years,” he added.

He said Muslims could again excel if they acted upon Islamic teachings and values.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 1^st, 2011.