ISLAMABAD, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Monday urged religious scholars to play a role in eliminating root causes of extremism from the society.
The prime minister made the remarks during a conference of religious scholars in the country's eastern city of Lahore.
Violent extremism has claimed lives of thousands of people, mostly civilians, over the past several years. Majority in Pakistan reject the violent extremism and terrorism; however, Pakistan still faces the problem due to a handful of extremist elements.
The prime minister pointed out that due to the efforts and sacrifices of the national leadership, religious scholars, armed forces and police, the hideouts of the terrorists have almost been eliminated.
"Now it is the responsibility of the religious scholars to reestablish the link between Islam and peace by taking guidance from the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet," he said.
