PESHAWAR, Nov 29: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti on Tuesday urged followers of different Islamic schools of thought to be tolerant towards each other for peace during Muharram.

He said this while chairing a consultative jirga of Shia and Sunni ulema, and officials of provincial, district and divisional levels about maintenance of religious harmony and Islamic brotherhood during Muharram here at the Chief Minister's House.The chief minister said presence of ulema of different sects in the meeting showed that the nation was united and would remain united against those trying to destabilise the country by fanning sectarianism.

He said the current delicate security situation facing the country demanded unity and harmony among different schools of Islamic thought.

Mr Hoti said the recent Nato attack on Pakistani troops in Mohmand agency was in fact an attack on the country's sovereignty and national integrity. He said ironically, the Nato didn't act against Kunar (Afghanistan) terror camps targeting Pakistani troops.

“Firing for hours on Pakistani posts was not a mistake,” he said, adding that the decision to suspend Nato supplies and ask the US to vacate Shamsi airbase within a fortnight was necessary but there was a need to take more such decisions, including review of diplomatic relations with the US.

The chief minister said the nation was united on the matter, adding that if the country's existence was in danger, then politics, ideologies and manifestos were meaningless.

“It is time to aptly respond to those targeting our sovereignty,” he said.

Mr Hoti lauded efforts of ulema and district administrations in the province for maintaining peace and religious harmony during Muharram and expressed the hope that the month would pass peacefully.

He appreciated the suggestions and recommendations of participants and said appropriate steps would be taken accordingly. He said Pakhtuns had paid a heavy price for peace in the shape of massive killings and bombings of places of worship but still, the government was ready to hold dialogue with those willing to give up militancy and lead peaceful life.

In response to a suggestion of health minister Zahir Shah, the chief minister directed police bosses to permanently solve the law and order problem during Muharram.

He appreciated the role of peace committees and said provincial, divisional and district administrations would help ulema in maintaining peace during Muharram.

Senior provincial minister Bashir Ahmad Bilour, provincial ministers Mian Iftikhar Hussain, Zahir Shah, Qalb-e-Hassan and Qazi Muhammad Asad, ulema of different sects from Peshawar, DI Khan, Hazara and Kohat Division, representatives of religious organisations, lawmakers, police officers, commissioners and provincial authorities were also present in the jirga.