ISLAMABAD: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has unanimouslyadopted a resolution co-sponsored by Pakistan along with a number of OICand other countries on “Promoting a Culture of Peace and Tolerance toSafeguard Religious Sites”.

Sharing the details, the Foreign Office said in a press release thatconsistent with the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan, this resolution ispart of Pakistan’s continuing diplomatic efforts for the protection ofreligious sites, promotion of interfaith harmony, and combating intoleranceon the basis of religion or belief.

In the background of recent incidents of vilification of religiouspersonalities and symbols, and rising religious extremism and intolerancearound the world, this resolution aims to mainstream steps for curbing suchnegative trends.

It deplores all acts of violence, discrimination, intolerance, religioushatred, negative stereotyping, and stigmatization on the basis of religionor belief, the foreign office said while further adding that the resolutionat the UNGA condemns attacks on religious places, sites and shrines, aswell as the destruction and forceful conversion of religious sites.

It further said that due to the collective efforts of the lead countriescomprising Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Yemen, United Arab Emirates, Morocco,Oman, Bahrain and Egypt, this resolution was adopted by United NationsGeneral Assembly by consensuslink.