Islamabad: Religious leaders, government officials, judges and representatives of the Holy See have called for greater religious freedom, equal citizenship and stronger legal protections for all communities in Pakistan during a national interfaith conference held in Islamabad.
The National Interfaith Harmony and Peace Conference was organised by the Islamabad High Court Bar Association in collaboration with the Apostolic Nunciature in Pakistan. Held at the Islamabad High Court Bar Association Complex under the theme “Building Bridges of Faith, Justice and Peace,” the gathering brought together representatives of different religious communities, the judiciary, government, diplomatic missions and civil society.
A delegation from the Holy See's Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue attended the conference. It included Msgr. Indunil Janakaratne Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage, Secretary of the Dicastery, and Fr. Markus Solo Kewuta, SVD, Official for Islam in Asia and the Pacific. Their participation highlighted the Catholic Church's commitment to promoting understanding, mutual respect and peaceful relations among people of different faiths.
In his welcome address, Apostolic Nuncio to Pakistan Archbishop Germano Penemote stressed the Holy See's responsibility to defend human dignity, justice and peace while respecting the freedom and sovereignty of nations.He said the Holy See could not remain indifferent when human life was threatened, destroyed or subjected to discrimination. He also highlighted its work in education, healthcare and charitable assistance, particularly for poor and vulnerable communities.
Archbishop Penemote expressed hope that the conference would help create a society where religious differences are approached with respect rather than fear, and political and social differences become opportunities for cooperation instead of conflict. Addressing the gathering, Msgr. Kodithuwakku connected the conference theme with Catholic Church teachings and documents, including the Second Vatican Council's declaration Nostra Aetate and the more recent document Magnifica Humanitas. He emphasised that religious freedom is a fundamental recognition of human dignity, not a privilege granted by one religious community to another.
A society, he explained, becomes stronger when people with different religious beliefs can live peacefully, contribute to the common good and protect one another against injustice. He also recalled the words of Pakistan's founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who affirmed the freedom of citizens to worship in temples, mosques and other places of worship, regardless of their religion, caste or creed.
Msgr. Kodithuwakku called for equal citizenship and effective protection of the fundamental rights of every person, including religious minorities. He encouraged people across Pakistan to work together in serving the common good. Fr. Markus Solo Kewuta highlighted the close relationship between faith, justice and peace. He said religious belief must be reflected in actions that promote justice, while justice provides the foundation for lasting peace. He also stressed the importance of moderation, known as wasatiyyah, in religious practice, particularly in a diverse society facing challenges from religious extremism and fundamentalism.
The Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court also called for equal citizenship and a common national identity. He said people should not be separated by labels such as majority and minority but should recognise one another as equal members of the country. Emphasising national unity despite religious differences, he said, “We are all one Pakistani.” Former Governor of Gilgit Baltistan and senior Pakistan Peoples Party leader Qamar Zaman Kaira warned that the misinterpretation of religion was a major cause of intolerance and division. He urged religious communities to understand and practise their beliefs in ways that promote compassion, justice, peace and respect for human dignity.
Federal Minister for Minorities Khel Das Kohistani raised concerns about forced conversions, describing them as a serious obstacle to trust between religious communities. He called for stronger legal safeguards and collective efforts to protect people's freedom to practise their chosen religion. The conference also brought together Archbishop Joseph Arshad, President of the Pakistan Catholic Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Khalid Rehmat, Bishop Indrias Rehmat, Bishop Yousaf Sohan, Bishop Samson Shukardin, Archbishop Benny Mario Travaas and Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw.
Other participants included senior judges, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, Deputy Speaker of the Sindh Assembly Anthony, diplomats, parliamentarians, legal professionals, Muslim, Christian, Hindu and Sikh religious leaders, and representatives of human rights organisations and civil society. The discussions highlighted that interfaith harmony requires more than goodwill. Participants stressed the need for equality before the law, protection of fundamental rights, responsible religious leadership and continued dialogue to address discrimination and religious intolerance.
The gathering also reflected the principles of Nostra Aetate, which encourages respect for other religious traditions and cooperation in building peace and serving humanity. The encyclical Fratelli Tutti by Pope Francis was also recalled for its emphasis on listening, understanding and finding common ground through genuine dialogue. At the conclusion, participants called on political leaders, the judiciary, religious institutions, the legal community and civil society to work together across religious and cultural differences.
They stressed that every citizen should enjoy equal dignity, security, freedom and justice, regardless of religious identity.
The conference reaffirmed that religious diversity should strengthen Pakistan's national identity rather than become a cause of division.