Pakistan

Govt to host inter-faith moot next week

Cabinet hopes the meet will help promote harmony in country

Our Correspondent August 23, 2023

A mosque and church adjacent to each other exhibit interfaith harmony despite extremist violence in the district. Photo: Express

ISLAMABAD:

The caretaker federal cabinet directed the authorities concerned on Tuesday to organise an inter-faith harmony conference at the national level next week to foster greater religious tolerance within the country.

The cabinet, which met here with interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar in the chair, stressed that providing protection to the minorities was among the top priorities of the state.

In response to the recent Jaranwala incident, the caretaker federal cabinet adopted a resolute stance against religious intolerance and vehemently warned against the propagation of extremism and religious tensions within the country.

Read PM vows to bring perpetrators to justice

During the meeting, caretaker Prime Minister Kakar reflected on his visit to Jaranwala, underscoring the government's unwavering commitment to combat religious discrimination and intolerance.

He emphasized that safeguarding the rights and well-being of minorities remains a top priority for the state. Kakar asserted that the government will ensure the protection of minority lives and properties and will ensure that the perpetrators of such heinous acts are held accountable.

In light of these discussions, the cabinet directed the organization of a national-level inter-faith harmony conference in the upcoming week. This conference intends to bring together scholars from diverse religions and schools of thought, fostering greater understanding and unity among different faiths. The cabinet anticipates that the conference will play a pivotal role in promoting inter-faith harmony within Pakistan.

Additionally, the cabinet, upon the recommendation of the finance ministry, set the amount of Diyat at Rs6,757,902 for the fiscal year 2023-24. Following the meeting, Prime Minister Kakar departed for Karachi, where he is scheduled to engage with political leaders and the business community, furthering his engagement with various sectors in the Sindh capital.