Conference: ‘Code of conduct needed to promote religious harmony’

LAHORE: Representatives of 32 religious parties from all sects and religions on Wednesday attended the Istihkam-i-Pakistan Conference.

Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) Chairman Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi was the chief guest at the conference.

Speakers at the conference said the code of conduct formulated by Mili Yakjahti Conference and the government should be given a legal status and enforced.

They said they fully supported the code of conduct and demanded legal action against found violating it.

A nationwide campaign for enforcement of the code of conduct was announced at the conference.

Speakers said they would hold meeting with political and religious leaders and members of the parliament to seek their support for the campaign. They said conferences would be held in all four provinces to promote religious tolerance.

“We appreciate the support of representatives of non-Muslim communities and believe that Pakistan belongs to all of us. The government has a responsibility to protect the lives, honour, wealth and worship places of non-Muslims,” a speaker said.

They said resolutions in support of the code of conduct would be passed during Friday gatherings across the country.A decision to form action committees consisting of representatives of all four sects was announced.  Sunni Ittehad Council leader Pir Mahfuz Mashhadi said he would present the code of conduct in the provincial assembly.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 12^th, 2013.