— Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has stated the observance of the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence is aimed at realizing the dream of a peaceful, quiet and dignified world.

To foster peaceful co-existence, she pointed out, we need a communal effort based on tolerance, understanding and mutual respect.

In the wake of recent global crises, she said, Pakistan has further cemented its identity as a peace-loving country and underscored the country’s continuous contributions towards global peace and development. “Every citizen is proud of the country’s reputation as a peaceful state and building a harmonious, united and purposeful society is a shared national responsibility,” she said in her statement.

Maryam said that by continuous efforts and responsible behavior despite difficult global developments, the peaceful identity of Pakistan has been enhanced on the international forum. She stressed that the country has been playing a positive role in promoting peace and supporting stability in areas where it can.

“But the vision of a cohesive and harmonious society continues to drive national aspirations, with unity and mutual respect as the basis for social progress,” she added. “The emphasis,” she continued, “is still to ensure that all communities are working together to build a long-term peace and development.

She said the Punjab administration is committed to creating a society on tolerance and peaceful co-existence. She said that the law and order situation in Punjab has improved a lot in comparison to the past and it has become more stable and exemplary by the grace of Allah.

She said every person of Punjab deserves to live in dignity and peace irrespective of color, nationality or religious background. There are also efforts to ease linguistic, social, sectarian and cultural issues through systematic measures for long-term stability and concord.

The chief minister emphasized that the way ahead for peaceful cohabitation was through the eradication of intellectual and practical extremism. She explained that continuing to empower women and keep them safe was an important part of establishing a peaceful and balanced society.

She said legal measures were being adopted to ensure the prevention of violence and to strengthen the protection of citizens in all strata of society. “These measures,” she stated, are aimed at strengthening justice, equality and public safety.

Recalling the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, she reaffirmed commitment to create a peaceful society where every citizen can live with dignity, respect and mutual understanding, underpinned by continuous institutional and social changes.