Pakistan: Interfaith conference calls for religious freedom and equal citizenship

By Samuel Clement* – Islamabad

The Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA), in collaboration with the Apostolic Nunciature in Pakistan, organized a landmark National Interfaith Harmony & Peace Conference at the Islamabad High Court Bar Association Complex, Islamabad, under the theme “Building Bridges of Faith, Justice & Peace.”

The conference brought together distinguished national and international personalities, representatives of the Holy See, diplomats, parliamentarians, judges, legal professionals, religious scholars, spiritual leaders, human rights activists, and civil society representatives to promote interfaith harmony, constitutional equality, religious freedom, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence in Pakistan.

A distinguished delegation from the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue of the Holy See, Vatican City, participated in the conference, comprising Msgr. Indunil Janakaratne Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage, Secretary of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, and Fr. Markus Solo Kewuta, SVD, Official for Islam in Asia and the Pacific.

Their participation highlighted the Catholic Church’s continued commitment to strengthening dialogue, mutual understanding, and fraternity among followers of different religions in Pakistan.

The conference was attended by prominent national figures, including the Honorable Chief Justices of the Federal Shariat Court and Islamabad High Court; Azam Nazeer Tarar, ASC, Federal Minister for Law and Justice; Qamar Zaman Kaira, former Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan and senior PPP leader; Khel Das Kohistani, Federal Minister for Minorities; Anthony, Deputy Speaker of the Sindh Assembly; Pir Syed Haider Gillani of Ratyhotar Sharif; Allama Basharat Hussain Miami.

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The conference was attended by Archbishop Joseph Arshad, President of the Pakistan Catholic Bishop’s Conference; Archbishop Khalid Rehmat; Bishop Indrias Rehmat; Bishop Yousaf Sohan; Bishop Samson Shukardin; Archbishop Benny Mario Travaas; and, Archbishop Sabastian Francis Shaw.

Ambassadors and diplomats from various countries, representatives of the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan and Pakistan Bar Council, members of different High Court Bar Associations, district judiciary, Muslim, Christian, Hindu and Sikh scholars, religious leaders, lawyers, and civil society representatives also participated in this important national gathering.

In his welcome address, the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Germano Penemote, emphasized the ongoing role of the Holy See’s diplomacy in safeguarding human dignity, justice and peace, respecting the freedom and sovereignty of each people and nation.

“The Holy See does not remain indifferent when human life is endangered, destroyed or discriminated against,” he said.

He assured that “the Holy See is always present alongside the poor and suffering, giving its best, especially in the field of education and healthcare, as well as in charitable assistance to those most in need. Thus, the Holy See gives her testimony of being an author of steadfast bridges, aware that human life is an inalienable right, and its preservation is the most just and fundamental law to follow.”

The Apostolic Nuncio expressed his hopes that the conference could “contribute to a culture in which religious diversity can increasingly be approached with respect rather than fear, and socio-political differences can become opportunities for cooperation, rather than sources of division and conflict.”

Msgr. Indunil Janakaratne Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage, the Secretary of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, reflected on the theme of the conference by grounding himself on various Church’s documents and magisterial teachings of the Catholic church from Nostra aetate to Magnifica Humanitas.

“Religious freedom is not a concession made by one community to another. It is a recognition of the dignity of the human person,” he said. “A society does not become weaker because its citizens worship God differently. Rather, a society becomes stronger when people of different religious convictions can live together peacefully, contribute to the common good and protect one another from injustice.”

Msgr. Kodithuwakku quoted the famous words of the Founding Father of Pakistan, Ali Jinnah: "You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed—that has nothing to do with the business of the State."

He, therefore, pleaded for equal citizenship and protections of country’s positive laws towards the fundamental rights and dignity of every person, including the so-called minorities. He invited peoples of Pakistan to work together and to serve together for the common good.

Fr. Markus Solo Kewuta, SVD, the Official for Islam in Asia and the Pacific, appreciated the very first conference of the High Court Bar Association, born from the two visits of the same to the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, supported by the Apostolic Nuncio in Pakistan and the local Catholic Bishops.

He approached the theme by emphasizing the core message of the day that there is an indispensable interdependency between faith, justice and peace. Faith must be translated into justice. Where there is justice, there is peace. Peace is the barometer of a healthy nation. In a plural society, torn by the rise of religious fanaticism and fundamentalism, the concept of moderation or “wasatiyyah” in living one’s faith must be taken into consideration.

During the conference, the Honorable Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court emphasized the importance of equal citizenship and a shared national identity.

He observed that citizens should not be divided through labels such as “majority” and “minority,” but should recognize one another as equal members of one nation. Despite differences in religious beliefs, he stressed, “We are all one Pakistani.” His remarks highlighted the importance of constitutional equality, inclusion, and national unity.

Mr. Qamar Zaman Kaira pointed out that the misinterpretation of religion is a significant source of intolerance and division in society. He emphasized that religious teachings should be understood and practiced in their true spirit, promoting peace, compassion, justice, and respect for human dignity rather than prejudice and hostility.

Mr. Khel Das Kohistani highlighted forced conversions as another serious concern and an obstacle to building trust among religious communities and strengthening interreligious dialogue. His remarks underlined the need for effective legal safeguards, protection of fundamental rights, and collective efforts to ensure that every individual can freely exercise their religious beliefs and choices.

These observations reinforced the central message of the conference: interfaith harmony requires more than goodwill. It demands equality before the law, responsible religious leadership, protection of fundamental rights, and the courage to address sensitive issues through dialogue and constructive cooperation. Participants stressed that Pakistan's religious and cultural diversity should be a source of strength rather than division.

The conference also reflected the importance of the Catholic Church’s teaching on interreligious relations, particularly the Second Vatican Council’s declaration Nostra Aetate, which encourages mutual respect, recognition of spiritual values in other religious traditions, and cooperation in the pursuit of peace and the common good.

Pope Francis, in his encyclical Fratelli Tutti (No. 198), points out that authentic dialogue involves listening, understanding, and finding common ground. These principles remain essential for building a just and peaceful society.

The participation of the Vatican delegation further strengthened the message that interreligious dialogue is not simply an exchange of ideas but a shared responsibility to protect human dignity, promote fraternity, and serve humanity.

The conference reaffirmed the importance of building bridges between religious communities, constitutional institutions, and the legal fraternity for a more inclusive and peaceful Pakistan.

The gathering concluded with a renewed call for political leadership, the judiciary, religious institutions, the legal fraternity, and civil society to work together beyond religious, cultural, and social differences. It emphasized the importance of ensuring that every citizen enjoys equal dignity, security, freedom, justice, and belonging, regardless of religious identity.

The message of the conference was clear: Faith must inspire justice, dialogue must strengthen understanding, and our shared humanity must unite us in building lasting peace.

* National Executive Secretary of the Catholic Commission for Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism Pakistan.