Ulema call suicide bombings as un-Islamic .....

Ulema approved a unanimous resolution, prescribing suicide bombing as un-Islamic.

In a joint meeting of Ittehad-e-Bain-ul-Muslimeen committee and the Ulema Board presided over by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, they said Ulema want to see the country on the road to peace and prosperity and they will support the government in its efforts against terrorism. Muttahida Ulema Board Chairman Sahibzada Fazal Karim tabled this resolution.

Addressing the Ittehad-e-Bain-ul-Muslimeen committee at the Chief Minister’s secretariat on Sunday, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said Ulema have always worked for promotion of peace and religious harmony, and the present situation demands their further role for this purpose.

Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Senior Adviser Zulfiqar Khosa, Punjab Auqaf Minister Ehsanuddin Qureshi, Education Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, Adviser Jehanzeb Burki, chief secretary, Auqaf secretary and other officials were present on this occasion.

Shahbaz said there is a need for forging unity in the ranks for countering internal and external threats, extremism and militancy. He said the government fully appreciates cooperation of Ulema, sectarian harmony and rooting out terrorism. He said the government had succeeded in overcoming sectarian violence during its last tenure with the cooperation of Ulema and 70 books containing provocative material were destroyed during this period.

He said Ulema had played a historic role in the creation of Pakistan and there is a need for similar efforts on their part for coping with the present critical situation. He said Ulema are fully cognizant of the sensitiveness of the prevalent situation and should make collective efforts for countering the threat of sectarianism, terrorism and militancy by sinking their petty differences. He said Islam is the religion of tolerance and accommodation, and there are a number of shining examples in the Islamic history of respecting each other’s views and beliefs. He said the existing situation calls for unity. Shahbaz asked Ulema to expose extremists and black sheep in the society.

He said, “We should rise above sectarian, religious and mutual differences and strive for national solidarity during Muharram.” He said the country’s enemies want to destabilise our country which is a matter of pondering for us.

Ulema paid rich tributes to the Punjab chief minister for unanimous approval of NFC award and vowed to extend full cooperation to the Punjab government for maintaining peaceful atmosphere during Muharram. The meeting issued joint declaration in which Ulema made their commitment to maintain religious harmony and brotherhood during Muharram.

Agencies add: During a quick chat with journalists, Shahbaz made it clear there is no danger/threat of terrorism in South Punjab. Shahbaz said standpoint of the Punjab was that the provinces should be given a larger share of financial resources as strengthening of the provinces would strengthen the federation. SAMAA/AGENCIES