Govt forms peace committee to counter terrorism extremism

ISLAMABAD : The government has constituted a National Peace Message Committee in a major step towards ending terrorism, extremism and sectarianism.

The committee will operate under the leadership of the Federal Minister for Information, Atta Tarar. Prominent religious scholars, spiritual leaders, representatives of minority communities and officials from relevant ministries are included in the committee. It will work to develop a unified national narrative against sectarianism and hate speech.

The Ministry of Information has issued a notification establishing the committee, which will function as a sub-committee of the National Committee for Narrative Formation. The committee aims to act as a barrier against the rising tide of terrorism and extremism and will promote religious harmony.

Minister of State for Interior, Talal Chaudhry, described the initiative as a significant move towards building a peaceful society. He said the committee includes respected figures from all schools of thought as well as representatives of other faiths, and will work to counter efforts to spread hatred and misinterpret religion.

The committee comprised Senator Hafiz Abdul Karim, Mufti Abdul Raheem, Allama Arif Hussain Wahidi, Pir Naqeeb-ur-Rehman, Allama Muhammad Hussain Akbar and Dr Muhammad Raghib Hussain Naeemi. Maulana Tayyab Panjpiri and Allama Ziaullah Shah Bukhari will also be members.

Maulana Tahir Ashrafi has been appointed as the coordinator of the committee. He emphasised the need to foster mutual respect in society and create space for all, whether in political or religious contexts.

Representation of minority communities will be ensured through Bishop Azad Marshall, Rajesh Kumar Hardasani and Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora. Coordinators of provincial and regional peace committees, representatives of recognised madrassa boards, additional secretaries from the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Religious Affairs, and the Director General of Religious Education will also be part of the committee.

The committee will draft its terms of reference in its first meeting, which will then be submitted for approval to the National Committee for Narrative Formation.