A landmark National Interfaith Harmony and Peace Conference took place at the Islamabad High Court Bar Association Complex, bringing together Pakistani religious leaders, members of the judiciary, government officials, and a delegation from the Holy See. Organized by the Islamabad High Court Bar Association in collaboration with the Apostolic Nunciature in Pakistan under the theme “Building Bridges of Faith, Justice & Peace,” the event gathered Muslim, Christian, Hindu, and Sikh scholars alongside diplomats, lawyers, and civil society advocates to promote constitutional equality and peaceful coexistence.
Prominent attendees included the Chief Justices of the Federal Shariat Court and Islamabad High Court, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Minister for Minorities Khel Das Kohistani, and several Catholic bishops led by Archbishop Joseph Arshad. Representing the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue were its Secretary, Msgr. Indunil Janakaratne Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage, and Fr. Markus Solo Kewuta, SVD, Official for Islam in Asia and the Pacific.
In his welcome address, Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Germano Penemote underscored the Holy See’s commitment to defending human dignity and standing alongside the vulnerable through education, healthcare, and charity. He expressed hope that the gathering would foster a culture where religious diversity is met with respect rather than fear. Echoing this sentiment, Msgr. Kodithuwakku drew upon Catholic teachings such as Nostra Aetate as well as the founding principles of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, asserting that religious freedom is not a mere concession but a fundamental recognition of human dignity that strengthens society as a whole. Fr. Markus Solo Kewuta further emphasized that faith must translate into justice to achieve lasting peace, advocating for the concept of moderation (wasatiyyah) to counter religious fanaticism.
Pakistani officials and judicial leaders reinforced the call for unity and legal protections. The Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court urged citizens to move beyond divisive labels like “majority” and “minority,” stressing that all Pakistanis share an equal national identity. Senior PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira noted that the misinterpretation of religion fuels intolerance, while Federal Minister Khel Das Kohistani pointed to forced conversions as a major barrier to intercommunal trust that requires stronger legal safeguards.
Drawing inspiration from Nostra Aetate and Pope Francis’s encyclical Fratelli Tutti, participants agreed that authentic dialogue requires listening, mutual respect, and concrete action to protect fundamental rights. The conference concluded with a collective appeal to Pakistan’s political, judicial, religious, and legal institutions to collaborate across social and religious lines, ensuring that every citizen experiences equal dignity, security, and justice.