Islamabad, November 15,2026: Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has called for renewed national efforts to promote tolerance, mutual respect, dialogue and understanding, describing these values as essential to peace, national unity, democratic stability and social cohesion.
In his message on the International Day for Tolerance, the speaker said tolerance and mutual respect were not merely social virtues but fundamental values for building a peaceful, progressive and resilient society.
He said differences of opinion were a natural feature of a pluralistic society but must be addressed through patience, dialogue, reason and mutual understanding rather than confrontation and hostility.
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said Pakistan’s strength lay in its rich religious, cultural, linguistic and social diversity. Respect for the beliefs, identities, traditions and viewpoints of others was vital to strengthening national harmony and fostering a shared sense of citizenship, he added.
He warned that intolerance, prejudice, hatred and extremism posed serious challenges to social cohesion and national unity, urging collective efforts to create an environment where diversity was respected and every citizen could live with dignity, security and equal rights.
“Tolerance means creating space for difference without allowing difference to become a source of division, hatred or conflict,” he said, adding that its promotion must begin with individual conduct and extend to families, communities, educational institutions, the media and public institutions.
The speaker underscored the important role of young people, educational institutions and the media in nurturing a culture of dialogue and responsible public discourse. He said the younger generation must be equipped to listen, understand differing perspectives, engage constructively and resolve disagreements peacefully.
He said the media had a vital responsibility to promote informed and responsible discourse and strengthen understanding among different sections of society. Educational institutions, he added, could play a transformative role in cultivating respect for diversity, critical thinking, tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Reaffirming Parliament’s role as the foremost democratic forum for dialogue, debate and peaceful resolution of differences, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said disagreement was an essential element of democracy and should be viewed as a means of strengthening democratic discourse rather than a cause for confrontation.
“Political differences are a natural part of democratic life; however, dialogue, consultation and parliamentary engagement must remain the preferred means of resolving differences, while the national interest must always remain paramount,” he said.
He called upon all political parties and democratic forces to strengthen the traditions of dialogue, consultation and constructive engagement, emphasizing that democratic institutions became stronger when differences were managed through constitutional and parliamentary means.
The speaker said the International Day for Tolerance provided an opportunity to reaffirm the universal values of human dignity, equality, respect for diversity, inclusion and peaceful coexistence. He stressed that tolerance should not remain confined to an annual observance but become a sustained national commitment reflected in public life and everyday conduct.
“We must build a Pakistan where diversity is respected, differences are addressed through dialogue, and every citizen—irrespective of faith, culture, language or background—can live with dignity, security and equal opportunity,” he said.
He expressed hope that the observance would reinforce the collective resolve to build a more peaceful, inclusive, harmonious and united Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker National Assembly Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, in his message on the occasion, said tolerance, mutual respect and social harmony were essential for peace, stability and sustainable development.
He said a cohesive society could only be built by promoting trust, understanding and respect among people belonging to different communities and social groups. Intolerance and social divisions must be countered through dialogue, awareness and collective responsibility, he added.
The deputy speaker stressed that tolerance should be reflected in everyday behaviour, language and interactions with others, particularly when responding to opinions and perspectives different from one’s own.
He said differences should be resolved through dialogue and understanding rather than confrontation, adding that every citizen deserved dignity, protection and equal opportunities without discrimination.
He called for collective efforts by individuals, families, educational institutions, the media, civil society and public institutions to promote a culture of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah expressed confidence that collective commitment and responsible social behaviour would help Pakistan strengthen an inclusive society where diversity was respected, differences were managed peacefully and all citizens could contribute to the country’s progress and prosperity.
