ISLAMABAD: Special adviser to the prime minister on Interfaith Harmony and the Middle East, Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, said a 16-member committee comprising members from several minority communities had been formed to tackle issues of interfaith violence, adding that no one would be allowed to harm minorities in Pakistan.
Campaigners say forced conversion and marriage of girls and women from minority religions, including Hindus and Christians, is a growing problem in Muslim-majority Pakistan, with those from poor families and low castes largely targeted.
In 2019, the alleged abduction and forced conversion of two Hindu sisters made headlines in Pakistan when a video of their marriages was shared widely on social media.
Pakistan’s minority Shia Muslims regularly come under attack by militant groups. Members of its small Hindu and Christian communities have also been attacked.
“Ashrafi said that a 16-member committee including Sikh, Hindu and Christian members had been formed under his supervision to settle interfaith violence issues,” state-run APP reported, adding that the body’s first meeting would be held in Lahore on December 4. “We will also meet leaders of all religions to settle their issues.”
Ashrafi said no one would be allowed to hurt minorities in Pakistan in the name of religion.
“Interfaith Harmony Council and Muttahida Ulema Board (MUB) held a meeting at the center on Sunday in which all members expressed their satisfaction over religious freedom in Pakistan,” APP reported. “Ashrafi said that whenever minority communities faced some issue, the MUB always tried to solve it in consultation with all stakeholders, adding that around 127 cases of alleged forcible marriages and conversion of religion, etc., were presented before the MUB in 2020 and all of those were resolved amicably.”
“Islam strictly prohibits forced marriages and forced conversions,” the news wire quoted Ashrafi as saying.
The PM’s aide also said it was the responsibility of all Muslims to protect the rights of minorities.
“The leadership of all religious schools of thought in Pakistan was united that the rights of minorities would be protected at all levels,” Ashrafi added.
Pakistan sets up 16-member council to tackle violence between Muslims, minorities
https://arab.news/phn3j
Pakistan sets up 16-member council to tackle violence between Muslims, minorities
- Committee comprising Sikh, Hindu and Christian members formed under supervision of PM’s aide on interfaith harmony
- Ashrafi says around 127 cases of alleged forcible marriages and religious conversion were “resolved amicably” in 2020
Customs seize narcotics, smuggled goods, vehicles worth $4.9 million in southwest Pakistan
- Customs seize 22.14 kg narcotics, consignments of smuggled betel nuts, Hino trucks, auto parts, says FBR
- Smuggled goods enter Pakistan’s Balochistan province from neighboring countries Iran and Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Customs seized narcotics, smuggled goods and vehicles worth a total of Rs1.38 billion [$4.92 million] in the southwestern Balochistan province on Tuesday, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) said in a statement.
Customs Enforcement Quetta seized and recovered 22.14 kilograms of narcotics and consignments of smuggled goods comprising betel nuts, Indian medicines, Chinese salt, auto parts, a ROCO vehicle and three Hino trucks in two separate operations, the FBR said. All items cost an estimated Rs1.38 billion, it added.
Smuggled items make their way into Pakistan through southwestern Balochistan province, which borders Iran and Afghanistan.
“These operations are part of the collectorate’s intensified enforcement drive aimed at curbing smuggling and dismantling illegal trade networks,” the FBR said.
“All the seized narcotics, goods and vehicles have been taken into custody, and legal proceedings under the Customs Act 1969 have been formally initiated.”
In the first operation, customs officials intercepted three containers during routine checking at FEU Zariat Cross (ZC) area. The containers were being transported from Quetta to Pakistan’s Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, the FBR said.
The vehicles intercepted included three Hino trucks. Their detailed examination led to the recovery of the smuggled goods which were concealed in the containers.
In the second operation, the staff of the Collectorate of Enforcement Customs, Quetta, intercepted a ROCO vehicle at Zariat Cross area with the local police’s assistance.
The driver was interrogated while the vehicle was searched, the FBR said.
“During interrogation, it was disclosed that drugs were concealed inside the spare wheel at the bottom side of the vehicle,” it said.
“Upon thorough checking, suspected narcotics believed to be heroin was recovered which was packed in 41 packets, each weighing 0.54 kilograms.”
The narcotics weighed a total of 22.14 kilograms, with an estimated value of Rs1.23 billion in the international market, the FBR concluded.
“The Federal Board of Revenue has commended the Customs Enforcement Quetta team for their effective action and reiterated its firm resolve to combat smuggling, illicit trade and illegal economic activities across the country,” it said.
