Pakistan Cannot Afford Any Kind of Sedition or Chaos: Minister

By Muhammad Shahzad
Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE: Provincial Health Minister and Chairman Cabinet Committee on Law and Order Khawaja Salman Rafique has said that Pakistan cannot afford any form of sedition or chaos, stressing that inter-Muslim unity is essential for maintaining peace across Punjab.

He expressed these views during a meeting with a delegation of scholars belonging to the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat Barelvi sect at the Punjab Home Department. The meeting was held on the instructions of the Chief Minister of Punjab as part of the government’s ongoing engagement with religious scholars.

Secretary Punjab Home Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi, Secretary Auqaf Department Socrat Aman Rana, Additional IG Operations, SSP Special Branch, SSP CTD, CEO Punjab Charities Commission, Additional Secretary Abdul Rauf and other senior officials were present. The delegation of scholars was led by Nazim-e-Ala Tanzeem-e-Madaris Ahle Sunnat Pakistan, Sahibzada Abdul Mustafa Hazarvi, and included representatives from various religious institutions and organizations.

During the meeting, issues related to law and order and efforts to strengthen inter-Muslim harmony were discussed in detail.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said that meaningful dialogue with scholars from all sects is yielding positive results. “Scholars of every sect are respectable to us. These meetings provide us with an opportunity to understand their perspectives and promote unity,” he remarked. He added that the Punjab government is committed to fostering inter-faith and inter-Muslim harmony, with peaceful coexistence being its top priority.

He further said that Pakistan is increasingly being recognized as a strong and stable state, and that national unity is vital in the current circumstances.

Secretary Home Dr. Qazi reiterated that the series of meetings with scholars will continue under the Chief Minister’s directives. “We value the sentiments and guidance of the scholars,” he stated.

The scholars, on their part, emphasized the need for peace, stability, and security in the country. They expressed their support for the Punjab government’s efforts to strengthen inter-Muslim unity and also presented recommendations for improving coordination between state institutions and the madrassa system.