Speakers call for promoting pluralism in true sense

Islamabad: Romina Khursheed Alam, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change, has said that ensured rule of law will promote pluralism in the real sense for which trainings should be organised on the theme of faith and feminism, gender discrimination and minority rights where Imams and religious leaders should be trained to play their due part.

Ms Rumina was presenting recommendations at the closing plenary of three-day international Citizens Roundtable on ‘Charting pathways for pluralism’ organised here by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI).

Ms Romina presenting recommendations adopted by the roundtable said that all citizens be imparted constitutional awareness on their rights and the citizens from religious minorities should be respected by fellow citizens including law enforcement agencies. The law should protect all citizens without discrimination and discriminatory laws should be re-examined to prevent minorities from becoming targets. These also asked to implement the 2014 judgment of the Supreme Court on the rights of minorities in letter and spirit. To highlight and assess the impact of discriminatory laws on the minorities a National Commission on Minorities should be established immediately, the recommendations concluded.

Ihsan Ghani, National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Authority said that to reduce intolerance and promote pluralism, we must admit our past mistakes and outline objectives in accordance with the vision and mission of the Quaid-i-Azam. He said Pakistan was a pluralistic society, but unfortunately, pluralism has been ignored and we drifted away soon after the birth of Pakistan.

Jean-Francois Cautain, Ambassador of the European Union, said while eliminating differences, we should embrace differences, too. He said fighting for freedom of religion and beliefs means fighting for dignity, rights, peace and tolerance.

Jan Figel, EU Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion/Belief, European Union, said that it is possible to live in peace and harmony while enjoying diversity. For this, one needs to be committed to win this challenge. He said ignorance, fear and indifference are allies of evil and majority of us are ignorant, indifferent and fear of talking for own rights.

Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director, SDPI, said that it is a crucial time for the country when all political parties are gearing up for next general elections. They need to include interfaith harmony and pluralism in their party manifestos. He said we are striving for peaceful coexistence and our policies should carry out the inclusive values which may foster a pluralistic society. Mass media can shape the prejudice mind-sets towards peaceful coexistence, he added. Dr Qibla Ayaz, Chairman Council of Islamic Ideology, and Shafqar KakaKhel Chairperson, BOG, SDPI, also spoke on the occasion.