Karachi: April 24, 2019. (PCP) 6th Rwadari Peace Caravan of Rwadari Tehreek takes off in Karachi in an inauguration ceremony held at National Museum Auditorium on April 24, 2019 with a pledge to continue struggle against prevailing religious extremism, intolerance and terrorism for a peaceful Pakistan. Rwadari Caravan in an annual feature of Rwadari Tehreek, which consists of Peace Activists of different faiths and walks of life from KPK, Sindh, Punjab and Baluchistan, and is aimed at expanding the scope of non-violence, religious tolerance and inter-faith harmony. 

Leaving from Karachi on 25th April Morning, Rwadari Caravan shall pass through different cities and places- Hyderabad, Shrine of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai & Sachal Sarmast, Sakrand, Moro, Khairpur Mirs, Sukkur, Ghotki, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahwalpur, Multan, Faisalabad and finally will reach Lahore on 27th April where a “Humanity March” will be held from Lahore Press Club to Punjab Assembly.

The Inauguration Ceremony which began with the official anthem of Rwadari Tehreek was presided over by Mr. Samson Salamat, the Chairman of Rwadari Tehreek while the other distinguished guests and speakers included Mr. Deedar Ahmed Mirani  (Vice Chairman Rwadari Tehreek), Mr. Rashid Bashir Chatha (President Rwadari Tehreek), Mr. Umar Farooq (Secretary General Rwadari Tehreek), Allama Ahsan Sidique, Bishop Gulfam Javed, Mangla Sharma MPA, Yousuf Masti Khan (President Awami Tehreek), Mr. Punhal Sario (President Rwadari Tehreek Sindh), Ms. Seema Sheikh (Information Secretary Rwadari Tehreek Sindh) and Ms. Nabila Aslam (Preident Rwadari Tehreek Karachi).

In his opening remarks at the Inauguration Ceremony Chairman Rwadari Tehreek Mr. Samson Salamat said that “Rwadari Peace Caravan is a sign of our commitment that we will continue our struggle and efforts for a peaceful society and give a message to the people of Pakistan that they need to make efforts to undo this deteriorated situation and adopt the ways and means which can lead our nation towards a peaceful future. Peace is our Future and Not Violence and terrorism”.  

Mr. Samson Salamat further said that “unfortunately our society is not in harmony with the vision of the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah who categorically promised in his speech to the Constituent Assembly on 11th August 1947 that all citizens shall be treated equally without any discrimination on the basis of cast, colour or creed and the religion will have nothing to do with business of the state. But Contrary to the vision of the Founder of Pakistan, our beloved land is surrounded with controlled democracy, limitations on freedom of religion, expression, assembly and association with heavy presence of extremism terrorist outfits and mob violence triggered using religion as a tool which continues to claim lives and cause damage.  

 Mr. Deedar Ahmed Mirani, Vice Chairman of Rwadari Tehreek said that “In order to make Pakistan a strong, prosperous and peaceful country, a realization is badly needed amongst the state institutions, political forces, media, and civil society that Pakistan needs a quick overhauling to begin its reversal which is not possible without the sincere contribution and efforts of all sides.  Strengthening democratic institutions, norms and values, improving governance, law and order and human rights situation should be a priority of every stake-holder which will not be possible without curbing the intolerance, violent extremism and terrorism. Furthermore religion should be separated from state affairs, action should be taken against the militant extremist elements and outfits as promised in the National Action Plan, syllabus should be made in accordance with the international human rights standards and free of biases, and last but not the least misuse of blasphemy laws should be stopped through a well thought legislative framework, policy and strategy”.   

Mr. Rashid Bashir Chatha, President of Rwadari Tehreek Sindh said that "the extremist terrorist outfits are a threat to the lives of people as they are involved in hate speech on the basis of sect and religion which is a matter of grave concern. Therefore, we call upon the government to take indiscriminate action against the individuals or the groups who are involved in terrorist activities and are killing people in the name of religion or sect". At the end of the Ceremony, the members of Rwadari Caravan pledged to continue their struggle across Pakistan to undo the culture of hatred, violence and extremism.   

Rwadari Tehreek (Movement for Pluralism) is a non-violent social movement which began in 2015 in Pakistan and aims to generate a debate on the importance of religious tolerance and respect of diversity in a multi-religious society and to remind the government, political forces, state institutions and other stake-holders their responsibilities to seriously address trends of hatred, violent extremism and intolerance in the society which has created an atmosphere of fear among the citizens and have riddled the public life, particularly of those belonging to religious minorities. Members of Rwadari Tehreek belong to different faiths and segments of the society and contribute their time and energy in promoting the aims and objectives of Rwadari Tehreek on voluntarily basis.