Badin (D.R. Mahfooz Shah): Deputy Commissioner Badin Yasir Bhatti has said that Badin has for centuries been known for its traditions of mutual love, tolerance and brotherhood among people belonging to different religions, beliefs and communities.
He expressed these views while chairing a meeting of the District Interfaith Harmony Committee at the Committee Room in Badin. The deputy commissioner said these traditions would be protected at all costs, while efforts would continue to strengthen peace, interfaith harmony and social cohesion across the district.
Yasir Bhatti emphasized that religious leaders, the administration, law-enforcement agencies, social organizations and civil society must jointly play their role in promoting peace and tolerance. He said every citizen has the right to live freely according to their religion and beliefs, and the administration would take every possible step to safeguard this right.
He directed officials of the relevant municipal and town committees to ensure the removal of encroachments around all religious places of worship. Assistant commissioners and mukhtiarkars were also instructed to visit places of worship, meet their administrators and resolve their problems on a priority basis.
The deputy commissioner said interfaith harmony was not merely an administrative responsibility but a collective responsibility of society. He stressed the need to promote awareness about peace, tolerance and mutual respect through educational institutions and social organizations.
District Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Badin president Maulana Abdul Wahid Farooqi expressed a commitment to joint efforts to preserve Badin’s peaceful and tolerant identity. He said that no act promoting hatred, sectarianism or division would be tolerated and that the environment of love, respect and brotherhood among different communities would be further strengthened.
He added that the Muslim community stood with minorities in times of both happiness and sorrow.
Minority community leader Jeevat Ram said the district administration and law-enforcement agencies had consistently cooperated with the minority community according to the law. He said the community was satisfied with this cooperation.
Jeevat Ram also raised concerns regarding cases in which girls voluntarily embrace Islam and marry. He said that if a girl converts and marries of her own free will, there should be no coercion, but she should be presented before a court at the earliest opportunity. He said that whatever decision the court reaches should be accepted by everyone. He expressed concern that delays in presenting girls before the court could create doubts regarding whether their statements were being recorded freely.
The meeting was attended by SSP Badin Qamar Raza Jiskani, Deputy Director Information Sarfraz Samoon, Assistant Commissioner Badin Rajesh Dalpat, Assistant Commissioner Tando Bago Jaman Das Sonaro, Assistant Commissioner Shaheed Fazil Rahu Muhammad Atif Shafiq, Assistant Jail Superintendent Ali Gul Gabol, Assistant Director Child Protection Deen Muhammad Dero, Assistant Director Local Government Abdul Rahim Khatti, DIB In-charge Inspector Muhammad Khan Soomro, Chief Municipal Officer Shiraz, Dr Zahid Zainoor, NADRA Superintendent Mohsin, along with other relevant officials, religious scholars and minority representatives.
Child Protection Committee Meeting
A meeting of the District Coordination Committee on Child Protection was also held at the Committee Room under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Yasir Bhatti.
The meeting reviewed various issues concerning the protection and welfare of children in the district. Officials from relevant government departments, including social welfare, education, health, police and child protection institutions, participated in the meeting.
The participants discussed measures to strengthen coordination among relevant departments and improve mechanisms for safeguarding children and addressing issues affecting their welfare.
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