Top Pakistan clerics call for sectarian harmony

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top religious body Wednesday called for a ban on religious hate speech and greater harmony between sects.
“Terrorism and violence in the country in the name of religion are a violation of Islamic teachings,” The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) said in its “Code of Conduct,” which it wants Parliament to adopt.
CII urged the government to curb hate speech and published material.
Clashes between two religious groups led to at least 11 deaths in the city of Rawalpindi, close to the capital Islamabad, last November.
The body also called for greater protection for non-Muslims, who make up around three percent of the population.
“It is the government’s responsibility to provide protection to their worship places and holy figures according to the law,” it said.
Pakistani law already forbids religious hate speech but its implementation is close to non-existent.
Formed in 1962 its remit is to advise Parliament on the compatibility of laws with Shariah, though its recommendations are non-binding.