CM meets team of Ulema and Mushaikh Council

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Najam Sethi has said that Ulema and Mushaikh are playing a vital role in promotion of peace, brotherhood, tolerance and religious harmony in the country. He said, in view of the present situation, Ulema would have to play a more active role in ensuring forbearance, acceptance and religious coexistence in the society.

He said, it is a national responsibility of Ulema and Mushaikh to propagate inter-faith harmony in the country. He said, holding of free, fair, impartial and transparent elections is the top priority of the caretaker setup and nothing will be left to chance in this regard.

The Chief Minister expressed these views while talking to Chairman Ulema and Mushaikh Council and Member of Islami Ideology Council Hafiz Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, who called on him at Chief Minister’s Secretariat, here today. Various matters of mutual interest and holding of transparent general elections were discussed during the meeting.

General Secretary of International Khatam-e-Nabuwat Movement and Pakistan Ulema Mushaikh Council Sahibzada Zahid Mehmood Qasmi, President Pakistan Ulema Mushaikh Council Punjab Hafiz Muhammad Amjad and International Coordinator of Pakistan Ulema Council Ladd Pasha were also present.

Talking on the occasion, Punjab Chief Minister Najam Sethi said that Pakistan is faced with the problems of terrorism and law and order, however, maintenance of peace is essential for the progress of a country. He said, only peace and tranquility will help promote economic and trade activities, increase investment and generate job opportunities in the country.

He said a heavy responsibility lies on the shoulders of Ulema and Mushaikh to play a proactive role in maintaining an atmosphere of peace, brotherhood and harmony in the society. He called upon Ulema to preach importance of tolerance and forbearance to their followers in their speeches and sermons. He said that holding of free, fair and impartial elections is a national responsibility of the caretaker setup which would be fulfilled.

He said an impartial bureaucratic team is being formed in the province to ensure conduct of completely transparent elections. He pointed out that merit-based appointments are being made in administration and police and only hardworking, honest and capable officers are being deputed. Najam Sethi said that completely impartial and non-political ministers have been included in the new provincial cabinet, while instructions and orders of Election Commission are being followed in totality. He said all necessary steps are being taken to ensure fair, free, impartial and transparent elections.

Talking on the occasion, Chairman Pakistan Ulema Mushaikh Council Hafiz Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi congratulated Najam Sethi over his appointment as caretaker chief minister and hoped that he would ensure conduct of completely transparent and impartial elections. Hafiz Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi and Sahibzada Zahid Mehmood Qasmi said that appointment of Najam Sethi as caretaker chief minister is a welcome sign, and hoped that he would come up to the expectations of the people. The delegation of Ulema also assured Chief Minister Punjab Najam Sethi of their complete and vigorous cooperation.