Metro53 - Lahore (Web Desk): Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has said that using the name of religion to promote discord and unrest is a betrayal.
Addressing a ceremony in Lahore held for the distribution of honorarium cards among religious scholars, Maryam Nawaz said that religious scholars and prayer leaders play a vital role in society and are held in great respect. She added that whenever people face an issue, they look towards scholars for guidance, whether in times of happiness or grief.
She said she holds scholars in high regard and announced that honorariums would be provided through bank accounts starting from February. Under the initiative, prayer leaders will receive a monthly honorarium of Rs 25,000.
The chief minister stated that serving religious scholars is a matter of honor for her. She said some people attempted to give the initiative a political color, but they failed. She added that several individuals used religion to promote unrest, resulting in the martyrdom of young personnel from the police and Rangers, leaving their families in mourning.
Maryam Nawaz said she needs the support of religious scholars in suppressing unrest, adding that public and private properties were set ablaze and transportation routes were blocked. She questioned that if such acts do not constitute unrest, then what does.
She further said that it is the responsibility of the state to hold every form of unrest, oppression, and violence accountable, regardless of its nature. The state, she added, will seek justice for the blood of martyrs and will not allow anyone to endanger public life, property, or national security.
The Punjab chief minister also said that the land of Punjab has been made difficult for every oppressor and mafia. She acknowledged that people may not be pleased with strict enforcement of traffic laws but clarified that such measures do not benefit her personally. She added that she does not wish to issue traffic challans but emphasized that enforcement is necessary for public safety.
