Prof. Dr. Naveed Akhtar, Vice-Chancellor the Islamia University of Bahawalpur has said that Punjab Higher Education Commission is providing full support to universities for teaching, research and quality improvement. He expressed these views while meeting Director Coordination Punjab Higher Education Commission Dr. Tanveer Qasim and Public Relations Officer University of Home Economics Lahore Dr. Akmal Soomro in his office. He said that the Punjab Higher Education Commission wants to promote respect for religions and humanity in the society through universities so that moderation and tolerance can be promoted, which is a welcome thing. He said that the Punjab Higher Education Commission in the Islamia University of Bahawalpur organizing a seminar on the subject of religious harmony and tolerance will be very useful for teachers and students. On this occasion, Dean Faculty Islamic and Arabic Studies Prof. Dr. Sheikh Shafiq ur Rehman, Controller of Examinations Prof. Dr. Sajjad Ahmed Paracha, Director Alumni Dr. Shahid Mehmood, Director Media and Public Relations Shahzad Ahmed Khalid were also present. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Naveed Akhtar also awarded Alumni Shield to Dr. Tanveer Qasim and Dr. Akmal Soomro.

Meanwhile, a one-day seminar titled “The impact of Interfaith Programs in Pakistani Universities on Religious Tolerance and Understanding” was organized by the Islamia University of Bahawalpur with the support of Punjab Higher Education Commission at Ghulam Muhammad Ghotvi Hall, Abbasia Campus. Dr. Tanveer Qasim, Director Coordination Punjab Higher Education Commission has said that inter-faith harmony is the guarantee of social and economic development. Extremist behavior and hateful thinking are leading us to decline. For the improvement of the society, the research done in the university should be beneficial for the state. Our religion and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) teaches us mutual respect, patience and tolerance. The main purpose of universities is to provide scientific solutions to the current problems of the society. Fifty-five percent of the world’s population consists of followers of Islam and Christianity. Through the promotion of dialogue and harmony, the ways of establishing peace in the world can be paved. We need to research Islamophobia as well as Muslimphobia.

Dr. Akmal Soomro, Public Relations Officer, University of Home Economics, Lahore, said that there should be research on the topics of promoting peace and tolerance in universities so that the society can benefit from it. Prof. Dr. Sheikh Shafiq ur Rehman Dean Faculty of Islamic and Arabic Studies the Islamia University of Bahawalpur while addressing the participants of the seminar said that we should promote inter-faith harmony as well as inter-religious harmony. He said that the universities should organize academic and intellectual training for the promotion of religious tolerance among the youth. On this occasion, Director Seerat Chair Prof. Dr. Hafiz Shafiq ur Rehman, Dr. Shajila Kaushar Chairperson Department of World Religions and Interfaith Harmony, Dr. Jibran Jamshed Chairman Department of Law and a large number of faculty members and students participated.