Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar on Monday said that the United Nations Organization (UNO) and Muslim Ummah must apply minds to avert US-Iran war, as it will be more destructive than Iraq war. The hysteria of war must be given an end and whatever a country is powerful all should respect each other's integrity.
He expressed these views while addressing the International Conference on Punjab History and Culture organized by National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad and University of Lahore (UoL) and later talking to media. VC Quaid-i-Azam University, Professor Dr Muhammad Ali and UoL VC Syed Mujahid Kamran were also present on the occasion.
Sarwar said that minorities in Pakistan are fully protected. Ensuring protection to minorities' lives and property is top most priority of the government and no leniency will be tolerated in this regard. He also said that war has never been a solution to problems rather it intensifies terrorism and extremism. Punjab Governor said that today, tourism is the biggest industry in the world, and first time in Pakistan, a Committee on Religious Tourism and Culture under his chairmanship is actively working to promote religious tourism. Pakistan gave a peace message to the world through Kartarpur Corridor project that is also promoting the tourism.
He further said, after renovation of Sikh worship places, the focus will be laid on Budhaism and people from across the world will be attracted towards Pakistan through religious tourism.
He said that Nankana Sahib incident took place due to the hate speech of a one person. Prime Minister took strict notice of the incident and sent Federal Interior Minister Brig Ijaz Ahmed Shah (Retd) to Nankana Sahib, while Punjab CM Sardar Umsan Buzdar sent Senior Provincial Minister Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed there to look into the matter. The person, who delivered hatred speech, has been arrested and will be taken to task as per provisions of law of the land. No one will be allowed to take the law into hand and there is no doubt that it is government's responsibility to protect lives and properties of minority communities living in Pakistan. Today, minorities are safer in Pakistan than rest of the world but it is very unfortunate to say that India is resorting to destitute space on minorities by targeting them through controversial Citizenship Act.