Islamabad: Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has called for promoting a narrative of tolerance and understanding, as well as initiating dialogue among communities to counter the culture of hate and prejudice in society. Addressing a ceremony in Islamabad on Wednesday, he emphasized the misuse of religion to fuel divisions and extremism, urging the amplification of the true spirit of Islam, which he described as a message of love, tolerance, and coexistence.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Minister highlighted that Islam unequivocally opposes violence and coercion. He emphasized the collective responsibility to uphold the principles of love, tolerance, and coexistence. Ahsan Iqbal pointed out that prejudice and hate often stem from ignorance and fears, creating divisions that can escalate into extremism, jeopardizing peace and stability. He stressed the need to fight the viruses of hate and prejudice to prevent the human mind from losing rationality and objectivity.

He further mentioned that
the government of Pakistan has taken concrete steps to address the challenges of prejudice and hate in society. One of the government’s significant initiatives is Paigham-e-Pakistan, a national narrative against extremism and hate speech. This document, endorsed by over eighteen hundred scholars from various schools of thought, unequivocally declares extremism, terrorism, and the misuse of religion as un-Islamic.

The Planning Minister described Paigham-e-Pakistan as a roadmap for fostering interfaith harmony, promoting moderation, and building a peaceful society. Ahsan Iqbal underscored that peace, harmony, and justice are the bedrock of a stable and prosperous society. He called for combating the culture of prejudice and hate speech to amplify the voice of moderation and foster a culture of mutual respect.