Faisalabad: October 18, 2012. (PCP) Peace and Human Development (PHD Foundation), Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM), CARE Foundation, LEHR Network and RASTA Network staged a peaceful rally to observe international day of Non-violence on the theme ‘Non-Violence for Peaceful Coexistence’ at Faisalabad on October 2, 2012. The rally was joined by Muslim and Christian pacifists including students, political workers, teachers and representatives of trade unions, workers’ unions and civil society organizations. The participants gathered at the District Council and marched up to the Circular Road to condemn the violence, torture and discrimination perpetrated on different grounds in Pakistan. They also criticized the attacks on the sensibilities of the faithful, citing the case of anti-Islamic film ‘The Innocence of Muslim’ that sowed death and destruction around the world. They were carrying peace symbols, banners and placards inscribed with slogans in favour of peace, harmony and non-violence. They chanted slogans against anti-peace elements for inciting hatred and creating rifts among different communities. At this juncture, Suneel Malik (Director-PHD Foundation), Naseem Anthony (Executive Secretary-AWAM), Yousaf Adnan (President-CARE Foundation), Shazia George (Coordinator-AWAM), Arif Ayaz, Nazia Sardar (Director-AWAM), Mian Naveed, Nasreen Bukhari, Asghar Shaheen and Sajid Iqbal Safdar emphasized on the need of promoting peace, tolerance and pluralism in Pakistan, and demanded end of violence against journalists, human rights defenders, women, labourers, religious, sectarian and ethnic minorities Speaking at the occasion, the director of the PHD Foundation, Suneel Malik said, “Peace can be achieved around the table of negotiations, and it is sustained around community tables. One can attain peace of mind, only if one follows the inner call of conscience and acts with positive attitude towards fellow mankind.” “The state must clearly announce and implement its policy to promote tolerance and harmony among various factions, and stamp out violence sparked by ethnicity and creed in Pakistan,” he demanded. The executive secretary of the AWAM, Naseem Anthony said, “Journalists always try to make the public aware of the truth and facts behind any incident or news, but it is pity that they are frequently targeted in Pakistan, and compelled to stop performing their professional responsibilities. Journalism has turned into a deadly profession in Pakistan, one of the most perilous territories in the world for media personnel. Therefore violence and torture against journalists and human rights defenders must be stopped.” The president of the CARE Foundation, Yousaf Adnan said, “The principle of non-violent resistance rejects the use of physical violence to bring about societal positive change. Peace starts with people. It flows from the hearts of committed women and men. Communities, families and individuals all have a critical role to play in defeating violence and sowing seeds of peace.” A political worker, Arif Ayaz said, “The government should take exemplary steps to recognize, respect and promote the sectarian, ethnic, religious, linguistic and cultural diversity in order to create a true climate of tolerance and harmony in Pakistan.” The coordinator of the AWAM, Shazia George said, “It is pity that large number of incidents of burning of women, domestic violence, kidnappings, merciless killings resulting from sectarian and ethnic violence and cases of sexual harassment surface in Pakistan despite having pro-women legislation.” “The passage of legislation against domestic violence and torture along with proper enforcement of existing laws is imperative for securing weaker groups from the state and non-state actors,” she demanded. The director of the AWAM, Nazia Sardar said, “We must work even harder to build a world of nonviolence and lasting peace by cultivating mutual respect and understanding among and within peoples, religions, communities and countries.” “Fundamentally tackling the roots of conflict and intolerance will take a culture of non-violence and peace,” she added. A social worker, Nasreen Bukhari said, “Non-violent practices of an individual and that of a society are complementary to each other. A culture of nonviolence can be made possible and sustainable only if each individual and the society facilitate it.” A labour leader, Asghar Shaheen said, “The state must ensure the rule of law and writ of the government in Pakistan, and play its key role in protecting the rights of marginalized groups such as; religious minorities, labourers, women, children and people with disabilities.”