RAWALPINDI: Punjab Law Minister Mohammad Basharat Raja on Tuesday said the Punjab government planned to work out a comprehensive procedure in consultation with the federal government to deal with those spreading religious hatred on social media with iron hand.

He said, however, that ulema (religious scholars) should also keep an eye on those who use social media for their nefarious purposes and spoil the atmosphere of religious harmony.

He urged them to discourage such elements and ban them, and help the administration expose them and bring them to justice.

Basharat Raja said the government did not support any individual, sect or particular thinking rather the government is neutral in this regard and believes in treating all schools of thought equally.

He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting of the Punjab Cabinet Sub-Committee on Law and Order at Punjab House, Rawalpindi.

The meeting was attended by Provincial Minister for Revenue Colonel Anwar, Provincial Minister for Literacy and Non-Formal Education Raja Rashid Hafeez, Provincial Minister for Youth Affairs Taimur Bhatti, Provincial Minister for Labour and Manpower Ansar Majeed and Minister for Population Welfare Hashim Dogar.

The meeting was also attended by Punjab Home department Additional Secretary Momin Agha and IG Punjab Shoaib Dastagir.

Commissioner Rawalpindi retired Capt Mohammad Mahmood, scholars belonging to the Divisional Peace Committee and administrative and police officers of all the districts of Rawalpindi Division were also present.

Punjab Law Minister Mohammad Basharat Raja said that we should play our role not only during Muharram but also throughout the year to maintain law and order and this is possible only with the cooperation of religious scholars.

He said mischievous elements created discord for their nefarious purposes and they would be dealt with iron hands.

Law Minister Mohammad Basharat Raja said that religious tolerance should be maintained even during Muharram, the nefarious aims of miscreants should be thwarted and if any misunderstanding arises, it should be resolved at local level.

He said that cooperation of the business community with the administration was essential during the Muharram processions.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2020