LAHORE: Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby on Wednesday urged Pakistan’s religious leaders to play an active role in promotion of interfaith harmony.
The priest, who was visiting Pakistan, met Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) Chairman Tahir Ashrafi along with representatives of various sects. He praised the efforts of PUC in promoting interfaith harmony raising their voice for the rights of minorities in Pakistan, adding that all the heavenly religions preach respect and honor for humanity.
Members of the meeting also lauded the endeavours of the Pakistan Army, religious leadership and the public in containing terrorism and extremism. The archbishop said extremist outfits were spending billions to propagate their agenda in the world and Pakistan’s leaders should come forward with an effective mechanism to foil these propaganda campaigns.
Ashrafi said that people of various faiths are residing in Pakistan with respect and honour accorded to them by the country’s leaders and the people. He added that with the mutual efforts of religious organisations, the misuse of the blasphemy law would soon end. He added religious leadership as well as renowned clerics and scholars are very active to keep check on elements responsible for misusing Blasphemy Law for their vested pursuits.
He said that any individual, group or organisation could not be allowed to usurp the rights of other communities. He said the constitution has categorically defined the rights of Muslims and non-Muslims in Pakistan and no one can be allowed to violate it.
