By Faizan Khan
LAHORE: In a move to foster religious harmony, senior administrative and police officials in Punjab held a consultative meeting with prominent scholars of the Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat in Lahore on Monday.
According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Home Department, the meeting served as a platform for detailed discussions on the regulation and upkeep of madrassas and mosques across the province.
The government sought to allay a key concern, with the spokesperson stating, “The clerics were informed that the Punjab government has no intention of closing any mosque in the province.”
The delegation of religious scholars, which included figures such as Allama Muzaffar Shah and Mufti Abid Mubarak, acknowledged the religious freedom enjoyed by all schools of thought in Punjab. They described the government’s approach to resolving issues as “encouraging.”
A key point of consensus was the need for effective, collective action to “eradicate the roots of injustice and discord.” Both sides also agreed to maintain a continuous line of communication for future dialogue. The meeting signals an effort by the provincial administration to strengthen its engagement with religious leaders and preemptively address potential tensions regarding the management of religious institutions.
