Faisalabad: September 26, 2015. (PCP) The government must constitute a task force to devise a strategic plan of action for promoting religious tolerance and pluralism in the country, and introduce fresh legislation to defeat sectarianism by ensuring strict action against those who label others as infidels and incite to kill others in the name of religion and belief. These demands were made by the participants of the peace rally entitled “Partnership for Peace-Dignity for All” under Diversity & Inclusion Campaign to mark international day of peace, held on September 20, 2015 at Faisalabad in Pakistan. The participants hailing from different communities and different socio-economic background gathered for peace rally from district council to circular road in Faisalabad. The rally was jointly staged by Peace and Human Development (PHD Foundation), Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM), and Rights of Expression, Assembly, Association and Thought (REAT Network). At this juncture, the participants strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack on the Pakistan Air Force base in Peshawar, and saluted brave soldiers for defeating terrorists’ plan and embracing martyrdom. The participants also released smiley and heart-shaped balloons as a symbol of peace. Speaking on the occasion, a parliamentarian, Khalida Mansoor said, “The sectarianism breeds terrorism, therefore the government is determined to purge the country of terrorism and extremism, and it is taking action against terrorists, their facilitators and financiers supporting sectarian violence, and observing zero tolerance for hate speech and hate literature.” The president of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Rizwan Ashraf said, “The people of Pakistan and its law enforcement agencies has suffered at the hands of terrorists and extremists more than any other country. It is a collective responsibility of citizens, communities and governments to seek and achieve genuine peace where diverse people live together in harmony beyond ethnic and religious divides.” The director of the Peace and Human Development (PHD Foundation), Suneel Malik said, “The diversity & inclusion campaign calls on individuals to take concrete initiatives relevant to their lives that promote diversity and inclusion, and to combat polarization, hatred and stereotypes to improve understanding and cooperation among people of diverse cultures and communities.” “The Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during a recent meeting with representatives of Islamic seminaries has committed to take action against those who label others as infidels, provoke others to murder someone or indulge in hate speech. Therefore, the government must introduce fresh legislation as per its commitment to put complete ban on sectarianism by ensuring action against elements calling others infidels or liable to be killed,” he demanded. The program director of the AWAM, Naseem Anthony said, “A broader program to address the root causes and various facets of hate, beginning from the education sector to state-level campaigns must be initiated to combat extremism, inequality and structural discrimination.” “If the government is committed to implement judgment of the Apex Court issued on 19 June 2014, then a task force must be constituted to devise an action plan to ensure religious tolerance; and curriculum should be designed or revised in a manner that it helps to promote culture of religious and social harmony at the level of schools and colleges,” he demanded. A member of the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW), Shazia George said, “Intolerance and violence are escalating in Pakistan, therefore young people of Pakistan having enormous potential to affect public attitude and perceptions, must be sensitized and educated in Peace-building, because they can serve as key instrument to mitigate conflicts, nurture peace and strengthen tolerance in society.” A social activist, Irshad Parkash said, “The government must release funds for the renovation and preservation of the composite heritage like historical religious buildings, to promote social and religious harmony Pakistan.” “The federal and provincial governments must set up special police force with professional training to take pro-active stance to protect settlements and workshop places of non-Muslims from mob attacks,” he added. An educationist, Tohid Ahmed said, “Peace is possible in Pakistan unless true democracy, accountability, justice and equal distribution of economic resources are ensured, and power and resources to the people at the grass root level is passed on through local government system.” A social activist, Arshad Mehmood said, “Peace and harmony in all spheres will come in Pakistan when everyone will first think of the country’s interests instead of thinking for themselves.”