Peshawar: Religious scholars and spiritual leaders of all schools of thought on Thursday reaffirmed their collective commitment to safeguarding the country’s peace, stability and national unity, pledging to work jointly under the Paigham-e-Pakistan Code of Conduct to counter extremism, terrorism and sectarianism.
Addressing the Paigham-e-Pakistan Ulema and Mashaikh Seminar, organized by the Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) here, the participants lauded the National Paigham-e-Aman Committee for its effective role in promoting interfaith harmony, combating violent extremism and maintaining peace during Muharram-ul-Haram.
Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council and Coordinator to the Prime Minister for National Paigham-e-Aman Committee, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, along with Maulana Syed Muhammad Yousaf Shah, Maulana Tayyab Qureshi, Maulana Mufti Zafar Ahmed, Maulana Sheikh Inayatullah, Maulana Dr. Shams-ur-Rehman Shams, Senior Vice President of the Wafaq, Maulana Mirajuddin, Maulana Muhammad Shoaib, Maulana Qari Ruhullah, and other prominent religious leaders, declared that all schools of thought stood united for the supremacy of Islam and the security, sovereignty and prosperity of Pakistan, and emphasized that national cohesion had become even more vital in view of the prevailing security challenges.
They said following Marka-e-Haq, Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, forces hostile to Pakistan had intensified efforts to destabilize the country. They alleged that militant groups operating in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Fitna al Hindustan and Fitna al Khawarij, were carrying out attacks against innocent civilians and security personnel in collusion with Israel.
Referring to the recent martyrdom of police officers and soldiers in Balochistan, they said the sacrifices of Pakistan’s security forces should strengthen national resolve and unity. They urged people from all schools of thought and every segment of society to unite in defence of Islam and Pakistan.
The scholars said Afghanistan remained a brotherly country but stressed that the use of Afghan territory for activities against Pakistan was unacceptable and must not be allowed.
Expressing concern over attacks on religious scholars, they said prominent clerics had been targeted over the years for advocating Islam, peace and national interests. They maintained that such acts would not weaken the country’s resolve and asserted that Pakistan would continue to emerge stronger despite hostile designs.
They also said Pakistan’s international standing had significantly improved, describing the country as an increasingly important contributor to regional and global peace. They said Pakistan had earned the confidence of various countries, including those in the Muslim world, as well as regional and international stakeholders, and called for greater national unity to defeat attempts for creating internal divisions.
The seminar participants expressed full support for Field Marshal, Syed Asim Munir and Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif in efforts to safeguard national security, maintain peace and strengthen the country’s stability.
Emphasizing the importance of sectarian harmony, they urged followers of all schools of thought to respect each other’s beliefs and religious sensitivities. Reiterating the principle, “Do not abandon your own school of thought, but do not provoke others over theirs,” they said mutual respect was essential for preserving peace and warned that anyone violating the Paigham-e-Pakistan Code of Conduct would face legal action.
The scholars further underscored that Jihad was a sacred obligation in Islam, but stressed that the deliberate killing of innocent people could never be justified as Jihad. They said such acts constituted Fasad (mischief and disorder) and reaffirmed their support for the state’s efforts to eliminate terrorism and maintain law and order across the country.