Lahore: Punjab Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order Khawaja Salman Rafique on Wednesday said that scholars, government officers, politicians and people from all walks of life must play their collective role in establishing lasting peace in society.
He was addressing a seminar as chief guest organized by the Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism.
Khawaja Salman Rafique congratulated the Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism for organizing a seminar on an important subject, saying that all segments of society must work together for the progress of Pakistan.
He said that the country’s elders had rendered immense sacrifices for Pakistan and Almighty Allah had bestowed great honour and respect upon the country at the global level. He appreciated the role of the Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism in eliminating extremism from society.
The provincial minister said that a better law and order situation was being ensured across Punjab. He added that peace had been restored in the Kachha area, where the Punjab government had also allocated a development budget of Rs22 billion.
Recalling the tragedy of the Army Public School incident, he said Pakistan had made significant sacrifices in its fight against terrorism and extremism. He said the country was being appreciated internationally due to the efforts of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
Khawaja Salman Rafique said that, in accordance with the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the provincial government was promoting inter-Muslim harmony and inter-faith unity. He said the Home Department, district administration and police deserved credit for the registration of 70,000 mosques. ‘Pakistan belongs to all of us, and we all have to make collective efforts for its development, prosperity and peace,’ he added.
Punjab Home Secretary Dr Ahmed Javed Qazi said that protection of people’s lives and property remained the top priority of the Punjab government. He said peace had been established in the Kachha area through an effective strategy, while surveillance and security arrangements had also been strengthened in districts located along inter-provincial borders through joint check posts.
He said the Punjab government was taking measures for the welfare of all sections of society, particularly farmers, minorities and persons with disabilities. He added that the government was honouring 70,000 mosque Imams in a dignified manner.
Dr Qazi said that all stakeholders at the Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism were working collectively for a peaceful and brighter future for Pakistan.
Chief Coordination Officer Ghulam Saghir Shahid, Additional IG Operations Punjab Muhammad Ali Nikokara, Additional Secretary Judicial Abdul Rauf, Dr Syed Tahir Raza Bukhari and Sohail Raza attended the seminar.
Members of the Punjab Assembly Zakia Shah Nawaz, Parliamentary Secretary Rushda Lodhi, Uzma Kardar and former MPA Sadia Sohail were also present. Senior journalists Mujeeb-ur-Rehman and Salman Ghani attended the ceremony as special guests, while Allama Shafiq Pasruri and Mufti Ramzan Sialvi also participated.
A large number of vice chancellors, academics and representatives from different walks of life, including women and men, attended the seminar.
