Punjab minister urges scholars to promote peace, tolerance and counter extremism

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th May, 2026) Provincial Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order Khawaja Salman Rafique said on Sunday that our beloved Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) won people’s hearts through wisdom, kindness, and exemplary character.

He said this while addressing a conference of religious scholars and spiritual leaders organized by the Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism under the Punjab Home department, said a handout issued here.

The minister said, "The Holy Quran teaches us politeness, justice, and respect even in disagreement."

He said that holding such an intellectual and national dialogue on an extremely sensitive, important, and timely topic was highly commendable.

He stated that the establishment of peace has become a fundamental necessity not only for Pakistan but for the entire world.

He said, "Although this is an era of progress, information, and technology, it is also increasingly becoming an age of intellectual disorder, hateful attitudes, intolerance, religious extremism, and social division."

In such circumstances, the responsibilities of religious scholars and spiritual leaders become even greater, he added.

He further stated that hateful narratives act as deadly poison for the peace, stability, and collective consciousness of any society.

The minister said, "There is a need today to make pulpits, religious schools, media, and educational institutions a source of promoting positive narratives."

He further said that state institutions were fulfilling their responsibilities, but true social reform would only be possible when scholars, teachers, parents, and opinion leaders promote love, moderation, and intellectual balance.

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Khawaja Salman Rafique cited the State of Madinah as the best example, where people of different tribes and religions lived together in peace and justice under a collective agreement.

He further said that Pakistan’s Constitution guarantees all citizens religious freedom, protection of life and property, and equal rights.

He said, "Minorities living in the country are an equal part of this homeland, and protecting their rights is not only a constitutional obligation but also an Islamic duty."

The Home department reaffirmed its commitment to continue working with all relevant institutions, religious scholars, spiritual leaders, civil society, and media to eliminate extremism, hate speech, sectarianism and violence.

Punjab Home Secretary Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi presented the joint declaration of the Scholars and Spiritual Leaders Conference.

He stated, "The Punjab government is spreading the message of eliminating extremism and promoting tolerance."

He informed the participants that the conference attendees strongly endorsed the 22 points of the “Paigham-e-Pakistan” initiative.

He further stated that conference participants agreed that irresponsible use of social media could not be allowed under any circumstances, and everyone must play their role in this regard.

The conference was attended and addressed by The National Counter Terrorism Authority National Coordinator Jawad Ahmad Dogar,

National Rahmatul-lil-Alameen Wa Khatamun Nabiyyin Authority (NRKNA) Chairman Dr Khurshid Nadeem and others.

The purpose of the conference was to promote peace, counter extremism, and foster interfaith harmony.