President for true depiction of Islam at Paigham-e-Islam conference

President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday urged religious scholars from across the Muslim world to play a proactive role in promoting unity, countering extremism, and projecting Islam’s true message of peace. Addressing the concluding session of the Sixth International Paigham-e-Islam Conference 2026 here at the Presidency attended by ulema, diplomats, and delegates from various countries, including Palestine and Saudi Arabia, the president said the Muslim world was facing multiple challenges, including conflicts, instability, and divisions that required collective wisdom and unity to overcome. He observed that recent developments in West Asia had exposed deep fault lines affecting regional stability and economic conditions, while also distorting the global perception of Islam. He stressed that both external misrepresentation and internal sectarianism were contributing to these challenges. President Zardari emphasized that Islam is a religion of peace, balance, and humanity, noting that the sanctity of human life lies at the core of its teachings. He called upon religious scholars to provide practical and intellectual guidance rooted in Islamic principles to promote harmony, tolerance, and coexistence. Referring to Pakistan’s experience, he said the country had made significant sacrifices in the fight against extremism and remained committed to eliminating violence in all forms. He also reiterated Pakistan’s foreign policy stance, highlighting the need for peaceful resolution of disputes in South Asia, including Jammu and Kashmir.