'Tolerance imperative for durable peace, stability'

Participants at a daylong seminar said that tolerance was imperative for establishment of durable peace and stability in the country, saying peace efforts could be more tangible by taking all stakeholders and peacekeepers onboard to end growing trend of intolerance from the society.
They viewed that political forces should shun internal difference and confrontational policy to join hand for restoration of lasting peace in the country. The seminar titled "Peace & Tolerance" was held under the auspices of Liberal Forum Pakistan (LFP), Peshawar chapter here at the press club on Saturday. The keynote speakers included Idress Kamal, social activist, Shahab Khattak, ANP- Vice president, Saiful Islam Saifi, President (PPC), Shamim Shahid, senior journalist, Arshad Aziz Malik, President Khyber Union of Journalists, (KHUJ).
Speaking on the occasion, Idress Kamal said that peace is imperative for socio-economic development of the country. He said that the growing differences between various religious sects, owing to lack of tolerance. He said that peace and tolerance is paramount for gaining quest of durable calm and nurturing tranquillity among the religious sects.
He said the imbalance society will cause sectarian violence and disorder in the country and stressed need of forging unity and calmness. He viewed that the growing imbalance has infiltrated violence and anarchy, saying that all past dynasties had their own cultural value, norms and traditions. Explaining the precarious situation of the country, he called for join hand for sole cause of peace and highlighted the role of political forces vital in this regard. He suggested that foreign policy should be based on friendship instead of appeasement or anti-masses, saying that the strain ties between Pakistan and alliance states are due to forming a pro-policy western and America policy.
Shahid Hameed, General Secretary, PCC said the aftermath of 9/11 situation is more precarious in this part of region, saying that the Pakhtun soil had experienced all forms of western aggression and its implications are very inconceivable. He called upon the political parties' to play their due role for restoration of lasting peace by shunning vested interest and confrontational policy. "All stakeholders should take onboard to get all desirable objectives for durable calm in this part of the region", he suggested.
Saiful Islam Saif, President PPC said that level of intolerance is very high in the society, saying that the growing imbalance is 'mother of all ills'. He said that religion has always been used a tool for fulfilment of vested interest. The trend has penetrated to sectarian violence in the country, he maintained. He, however, viewed that religion has never created hurdles in establishment of peace and stability in the country. He said that Muslim League is far away from its prime agenda to give equal rights and end growing imbalance in the society.
Shahab Khattak, ANP-vice president, in his speech stressed the need of co-ordination among all forces, which were carrying out efforts for establishment of peace. He said that government has taken all possible steps in this regard. He said that there is need of consensus and understanding on sole agenda for bringing lasting calmness at the Pakhtun soil. He viewed that the intolerance is basic reason behind all problems and confronting county. Anwar Durrani, Haider Zaman, and rest of the participants called for mutual and sustainable efforts for bringing durable peace in this part of the region.