Lahore, 11 September 2024 – A call for peaceful coexistence and the promotion of an inclusive society in Pakistan was made at a press conference held at the Lahore Press Club, led by Mr. Faisal Ilyas, Executive Director of Peace Hope Pakistan. The event, which brought together prominent figures from various sectors including government, civil society, religious communities, and human rights organizations, focused on addressing the pressing issues of religious extremism, violence, and intolerance in the country.
n his opening remarks, Mr. Faisal Ilyas, who also serves as the URI CC Coordinator and is a member of the National Lobbying Delegation for Minority Rights, presented his research paper titled Inclusive Society for Peaceful Coexistence in Pakistan. He emphasized the need for every Pakistani to play a positive role in fostering peace, love, and brotherhood, in line with the constitution. He urged the nation to prioritize creating an inclusive society where people of all religious and ethnic backgrounds can live harmoniously.
“Peace is not just the absence of war but the presence of understanding, coexistence, and mutual respect,” said Mr. Ilyas. “We must work together to reject the rising trends of violence and religious extremism that are dividing our society.”
Key points from the conference included:
1-Condemnation of Violence: The attendees strongly condemned the increasing instances of violence, religious extremism, and intolerance based on caste, creed, sect, language, ethnic identities, and religions. They called for strict implementation of laws and justice against those promoting such anti-peace mindsets.
2-Support for Victimized Communities: The speakers raised their voices in support of victimized communities, urging the government and law enforcement agencies to take serious action against individuals and groups promoting extremism.
3-Protection of Religious Minorities: The participants reiterated the responsibility of the state to protect religious minorities, echoing the famous words of Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who advocated for equality and protection of all citizens, regardless of their faith.
4-Promotion of Inclusive Society: A collective pledge was made to identify and confront individuals and groups promoting terrorism, violence, and extremism. The attendees urged all Pakistanis to work together to create a more inclusive society.
The conference was attended by a wide range of guests from various communities, including members of the government, parliamentarians, civil society, media, religious leaders, and human rights defenders. Notable attendees included:
Mr. Naveed Anthony, Deputy Speaker Sindh Assembly (PPP), Mr. Ramaish Singh Arora, Provincial Minister for Human Rights and Religious Affairs, Punjab, Mr. Ejaz Augustine, MPA Fr. James Channan OP, Samson Salamat, Mulana Zubair Abid, , Padri Munir Khokhar, Mr. Amar Nath Randhawa, Advocate Ms. Sumera Shafiq, Mr. Liaqat,. Yasir Khokhar, Edgar Irfan, Captain Azeem Khan, Rev. Fraz Malik, Mr. Azfal Aftab, James Rehmat, Ujala Hans, Naeem Naz, Parshant Singh, Ms. Sidra Charles, Neelam Nisari, Advocate Muddassar Farooq, Zaria Amber, Fr. Lazar Aslam OFM Cap, Liaqat Masih, Minhas Ilyas, Memoona Latif, Taimur, Yousaf Benjamin, Brother Alfred, Pastor Pervaiz Victor, Mahnoor,
The press conference also addressed recent violent incidents, such as the attack on 26 churches and 80 homes in Jaranwala, the murder of Mashal Khan, and the mob killings in Sargodha and Swat. These events, along with the killing of 23 Punjabis traveling from Punjab to Balochistan on ethnic grounds, were condemned as acts of terrorism and extremism, disrupting peace in the country.
“We strongly denounce the actions of those who promote violence and terrorism,” said one of the speakers. “Their mindset is not only anti-peace but anti-state, and it is our duty to challenge them.”
The conference concluded with the signing of a Charter of Demands, which included recommendations for promoting peace and protecting minorities in Pakistan. The signatories vowed to spread the message of peace within their respective communities and to work towards creating a more peaceful and inclusive Pakistan.
Mr. Faisal Ilyas thanked all the participants for their dedication and support, urging all Pakistanis to play their part in building a harmonious and peaceful society. “This press conference is a call to action for every citizen of Pakistan to promote brotherhood, coexistence, and respect for all, particularly religious minorities, who are the true fabric of our nation.”