GEO 436 ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira Thursday urged religious scholars to play their role for changing mindset of the people to end terrorism and extremism from the society. Addressing the participants of a condolence reference arranged on the first death anniversary Shaheed Dr. Sarfaraz Naeemi here at National Press Club he said, "Extremism has turned into a monster and the entire nation and Ulema will have to fight united to purge country of extremist organisations and reform mindset of the people." He opined that Ulema and religious scholars can play key role in fighting terrorist and extremist elements in the country. He viewed the extremism as the biggest challenge confronting the nation, stressing the conscious efforts to reverse the tide. He added that extremism is not a new phenomenon as its foundations were laid by world powers after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan when religion was used as a tool, establishing religious seminaries and changing culture, syllabus and psyche of the nation. The minister said prior to that, Pakistan was a tolerant society but these powers transformed it into an extremist one. Kaira said that only the government or security agencies cannot eliminate the threat rather the entire nation will have to stand united against extremists. He added that it would not be fair to link terrorism to particular area or region of the country as it has no religion rather it is a mindset. "We bagged a lot of achievements in shape of war on terror, 'Aghaz-Haqooq-e-Balochistan,' Gilgit-Baltistan issue, NFC Award and 18th Amendment. All the political forces supported us in these efforts. We have raised a platform towards right direction." The minister also paid tribute to Dr. Naeemi for his services to Islam and Muslim unity, urging people to follow his teaching. The minister said Islam is religion of peace, love, tolerance and harmony and viewed that Muslims are suffering in the world as they have not invested in education sector. He urged the new generation to seek contemporary education along with religious one and observed that war is no solution to issues but it brings difficulties in people's lives. "Not war, but love and tolerance can win minds and hearts of the people", he added.
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