Shaukat Stresses Interfaith Harmony for World Peace

November 6, 2006

Source: The International News

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=30207

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Tuesday stressed the need for promoting interfaith and inter-culture harmony to create a world of peace and tolerance.

Talking to a 35-member Buddhist delegation from Japan, led by Chief Priest of Tokyo's prestigious Kenchoji Temple, The prime minister said that Pakistan was working for building better understanding among people of different faiths.

Pakistan stands for peace, tolerance and interfaith harmony and is making sincere efforts to bridge gap between various faiths and bring all of them close to each other for a peaceful society.

He said Islam is the religion of peace, tolerance and harmony and also calls for promoting these principles in other religions, he said, adding: "Despite a pre-dominant Muslim population, our Constitution allows all the citizens to fully practice their respective religion."

Referring to Pak-Japan relations the prime minister said that both the countries enjoy very close relations in all fields. He hoped that these relations would continue to grow with the passage of time. Pakistan is grateful to Japan for its assistance for improving education, health and infrastructure in the country, he added.

He said Pakistan has rich Buddhist heritage and "we are proud of this heritage, bearing a message of peace, harmony and interaction between various cultures and faiths. He added all religious sites in the country are being protected, developed and maintained.