SAHIWAL: Sufism by nature and content is associated with tolerance, self-respect and mutual cooperation so it must be popularised by political governments of both India and Pakistan to defuse ongoing psyche of `warmongers`.

Sufism can develop a bridge to bring harmony among all prevailing dominant Muslim sects and also give out a message to other religious identities to bring interfaith harmony within two nuclear powers. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif must host an international Sufi conference to promote interfaith harmony among all religious identities in South Asia.

This was stressed by Syed Bilal Chishti, the sajada nasheen (caretaker) of the shrine of Khawaja Moeenuddin Chishti -popularly called Khawaja Gareeb Nawaz of Ajmer Sharif, India while exclusively talking to Dawn at the residence of Chaudhry Shafgat Javed on Sunday.

Chishti is visiting Pakistan to attend the 774th anniversary of Baba Farid Ganjh Shakar in Pakpattan. He is accompanied by over two dozen India-based sajada nasheen and devotees.

He said he had never advocated war between India and Pakistan and that talks were the only solution to all political and non-political matters. Without naming anyone, he said, `There are some hidden forces who derail all peace processes on both sides of the border. I am here to give message of peace and tolerance.

`Modi has to win UP elections and pocket 45pc Muslim vote and Nawaz Sharif has to defuse Panama leaks pressure,` he said. `Both elected heads must fight poverty within their own countries.`-Correspondent