ISLAMABAD: An international peace forum named International Religious Freedom–Peace Builders Forum Pakistan (IRF-PBF Pakistan) has been launched under the Interfaith League Against Poverty (I-LAP), reaffirming the importance of religious freedom, human dignity, equal rights, and peaceful coexistence.
The Forum was inaugurated in connection with Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day, bringing together parliamentarians, government representatives, civil society leaders, legal experts, academics, faith leaders, and human rights advocates from across the country to advance interfaith harmony and constitutional rights.
Speaking virtually from the United States, Sajid Sandhu, Chairman of I-LAP, said the Forum will bring together government institutions, parliamentarians, religious leaders, civil society, academia, media, legal experts, and representatives of religious communities to promote religious freedom and peaceful coexistence.
He emphasised that Article 20 of the Constitution of Pakistan already guarantees every citizen the right to profess, practice, and propagate his or her religion, as well as the right of religious denominations and sects to establish and manage their religious institutions.
The Forum will provide a platform for constructive dialogue, research, policy engagement, and collaboration while identifying legal and policy gaps and developing recommendations to strengthen religious freedom and the rights of all citizens.
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Nazia Ansari, Executive Director of I-LAP, said the Forum seeks to foster an inclusive national environment where every Pakistani, regardless of religion or belief, can contribute meaningfully to national development, integration, and peaceful coexistence.
International support for peacebuilding efforts
Greg Mitchell, Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Board Chairman of the International Religious Freedom Secretariat, United States, described the IRF Peace Builders Forum as an important initiative to strengthen peacebuilding efforts and advance religious freedom.
He emphasized the importance of creating an environment where religious minorities have confidence that their fundamental rights to profess and practice their faith will be respected and protected. “The launch of the Forum in Pakistan sends a positive message about the importance of bringing government institutions and other key stakeholders together to promote and safeguard religious freedom,” Mitchell said.
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Government extends support
Dr. Nelson Azeem, Federal Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination, was the Chief Guest. On behalf of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Pakistan Muslim League–N (PML-N), Dr. Azeem congratulated the I-LAP team on the launch of the Forum and expressed continued goodwill and support for efforts to advance religious freedom and protect human rights within the appropriate governmental framework.
Other distinguished speakers emphasized that inclusion, interfaith harmony, religious freedom, and peaceful coexistence are essential to Pakistan’s prosperous future.
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Building bridges through dialogue
In his concluding remarks, Sajid Sandhu reaffirmed I-LAP’s commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to build a peaceful, inclusive, just, and prosperous Pakistan. He emphasized that sustainable peace requires justice, equality, religious freedom, and respect for the dignity of every citizen.
“We believe in cooperation, not confrontation; in building bridges, not walls; and in dialogue, not division,” Sandhu said. “Lasting peace is achieved when people and institutions come together with mutual respect, listen to one another, identify common ground, and work collectively toward practical solutions.”
The event concluded with a collective commitment to strengthen constitutional values, advance religious freedom, promote interfaith harmony, and encourage constructive engagement for the betterment of the nation.
