ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Aneeq Ahmed in a recent meeting with Cardinal Archbishop Joseph Coutts discussed interfaith harmony, welfare of minority communities and mutual interests.
During the meeting, he emphasized that irrespective of any religion in the world, everyone advocates for peace and brotherhood. “All of humanity is Allah’s creation. We, as Muslims, stand united with our fellow human beings, both Muslim and non-Muslim, as brothers and sisters. In Pakistan, we must remain vigilant against those who seek to spread religious discord and thwart their nefarious intentions. Together, we will foil their efforts,” he added.
Cardinal Archbishop Dr. Joseph Coutts expressed gratitude for Minister Aneeq Ahmed’s visit and acknowledged Pakistan’s policies and commitment to the welfare of minorities. He lauded the government’s initiatives following the incident in Jaranwala, highlighting their praiseworthy efforts.
He said the Christian community in Pakistan continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with the government and the Pakistani people, actively contributing to the nation’s progress and the establishment of a strong and harmonious Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Caretaker Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Aneeq Ahmed, reiterated the government’s stance on blasphemy and hate speech, emphasizing that the desecration of the Holy Quran and religious figures was unacceptable.
He, in a recent meeting with former Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman, announced proactive measures to curb blasphemous content on social media platforms.
Aneeq also highlighted the gravity of attacks on religious scholars, stating that investigations had led authorities closer to identifying the perpetrators, whose names would soon be revealed to the public. He underlined the ongoing efforts to address the nation’s issues, expressing gratitude for the support and cooperation of religious scholars. He encouraged religious scholars to keep the public optimistic, stressing the government’s responsibility to resolve their concerns.
Addressing rising inflation, Minister Aneeq acknowledged its impact but assured that progress was being made stating, “Our direction is right, and we are moving forward.” Furthermore, he discussed the need to amend laws governing social media content to prevent the spread of blasphemy. Proposals for stricter social media regulation had been suggested, he added.
Mufti Muneeb-ur Rehman said the blasphemy law had been passed by the Parliament and awaiting for the President’s signature. He emphasized the importance of the law’s enactment, similar to the Official Secrets Act, which became law without the President’s signature.
In addition to his visit to Karachi, the minister also visited Jamia Rasheedia and engaged in interfaith dialogue with scholars, fostering mutual understanding and harmony among various religious communities.
