While addressing the foundation stone laying ceremony of residential complex for pilgrims at Katas Raj Temple in District Chakwal, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said that Islam is the religion of peace, tolerance, forbearance and respect for humanity. He said that by following the guiding principles of Islam, the country could be steered out of the challenges presently being faced by it.
The speaker said that sense of peaceful coexistence and harmony is the hallmark of our society where followers of different faiths have lived side by side in mutual respect and brotherhood. He said that recent unfortunate occurring in the country have portrayed a negative message of intolerant Pakistani society which was in contravention to the ground reality. He stressed the need for protecting and inculcating values of inter-faith harmony and peaceful co-existence in the hearts and minds of our people, and the young generation.
He said that the father of the nation Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah also envisioned equality of all citizens of Pakistan before the law and without discrimination. He said that his vision has been enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan also especially protects the freedom to profess religion and manage religious institutions.
Quoting Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the speaker said, “The religion or faith or belief of all will be secure. There will be no interference of any kind with the freedom of worship. Everyone will have the protection with regard to their religion, faith, their life, their culture.”
He said that Katas Raj Temple reminds us that our lands have remained a melting pot of civilizations since time immemorial where saints, travellers and traders, invaders and conquers have descended and left their distinct footprint on the sands of time.
