RAWALPINDI - Federal Minister for Information, Pervaiz Rashid stated that one should refrain from stating anything that could hurt sentiments of others.
He was speaking at a ceremony of Dastarbandi at Al-Khalil Quran Complex in Rawalpindi on Sunday.
He urged the people to follow the Sunnah of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and teachings of the Holy Quran which only stressed for protecting human lives instead of taking the same. He revealed that he has been associated with religious seminaries for about 40 years and that there is no link of madaris with terrorism. He said the government, Pakistan Army and law enforcement agencies were working hard to root out terrorism from the country.
"We want to make the country secure not only for our children, but also for those of the terrorists." Pervaiz Rashid said, "We should not indulge in sectarianism as we are Muslims and follow the teachings of the Holy Prophet and Quran."
Pervaiz Rashid said that by following Aswa-e-Hasna, one can spread the teachings of Islam in the world which abhors terrorism and gives lesson of unity, harmony and brotherhood. He said that Islam gives lesson for saving the lives of the people.
He regretted the suicide attack in a Saudi Arabian mosque which claimed lives of many worshippers and said that terrorism is a path of destruction.
He said he had an old relationship with Al-Khalil Quran Complex. He admired Hafiz Khalil, the founder of the complex, for his efforts to promote religious harmony among the people. Hafiz Khalil, he said, had imparted a lesson of love for humanity irrespective of faith and sect to promote peace. The minister said that he himself was a student of Hafiz Khalil, who never promoted any particular school of thought. Hafiz Khalil devoted his life to serve Islam and Pakistan and "we need to follow his teachings," he added.
He said innocent people were being martyred while offering prayers in mosques and it was essential to educate those indulging in terrorism that their acts were un-Islamic while the Islamic way was to preach peace and love for humanity.
The minister said the Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked in Lahore. But it was fact that the same country (Sri Lanka) had sent a team of its doctors to help Pakistan fight dengue threat. He lauded the valour of Zimbabwe team for its visit to Pakistan.
"The Sri Lankan cooperation was exemplary and this is the teaching of our religion too. It is also the teaching of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) that whenever you find someone in trouble anywhere in the world help him out," he added.
He said the Punjab chief minister evolved a comprehensively strategy to cope with the deadly endemic on war footing. He used to conduct meetings early in the meetings and continued taking steps till late night. On the contrary media was giving reports of more deaths. But in fact the timely action taken by the chief minister saved many precious lives, he added.
He said terrorism was the biggest threat being faced by the country and "we have to get rid of this scourge at every cost." The entire nation had pledged to free the country of terrorism, he added.
Pervaiz Rashid said terrorists did not belong to any religion or country. Terrorism was an international phenomenon and collective efforts were required to wipe out this menace, he added.
The minister said next general election would be held after completion of the present government's tenure. However, only the party election of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf could be held in 2015 as irregularities were committed in earlier one, he added. He also distributed certificates among the passing students.