Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today warned against the forced conversion and destruction of worship places of other religions, describing them as 'crime in Islam' as he greeted the Hindu community which celebrated the Holi festival with traditional enthusiasm across Pakistan.

Addressing a function in Karachi to celebrate the Holi festival with the Hindu community, he insisted that it was not anyone's job to decide who will go to hell or heaven, but to make Pakistan a heaven on earth.

In his inclusive message to minorities, Sharif said 'no one can force others to adopt a certain religion' in Pakistan and greeted the gathering with 'Happy Holi'.

"Islam gives importance to every human being regardless of his caste, creed or religion and I say it clearly that forcing anyone to convert his religion is a crime and it is our duty to protect the worship places of the minorities in Pakistan," Sharif told the gathering.

Leading members of the Hindu community and minority lawmakers attended the function where the prime minister insisted that in Pakistan the fight was between terrorists and those who wanted to see the country progress.

"There is no fight in Pakistan over religion. If there is any fight it is with these terrorists and miscreants who use religion to mislead people and kill innocent people and dont want to see this country develop or prosper," he said. -- PTI