Ulema will have to cooperate for restoring peace

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that the culprits involved in Rawalpindi tragedy will be taken to task. He stressed upon the ulema to give the message of love, religious tolerance and harmony to the people and play their role for peace and stability of the society. He said that besides the government, it is responsibility of the ulema as well to make their best efforts for promoting peace, amity and religious harmony and they should fully support the efforts of the government for peace and tranquility.

He was talking to a delegation of prominent ulema who met him today in Rawalpindi. The delegation was led by Maulana Sami ul Haq, Maulana Hanif Jallandhri and Maulana Ashraf Ali and included Maulana Zahid Mahmood Qasmi, Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, Maulana Qari Abdul Rashid, Maulana Abdul Majeed Hazarvi, Maulana Hafiz Muhammad Siddique, Maulana Dr. Atiq ur Rehman, Maulana Fazal ur Rehman Khalil, Maulana Habib ur Rehman, Maulana Yousaf Shah, Maulana Gohar Rehman, Maulana Muhammad Owais, Maulana Qari Sardar Ali as well as others. Federal Minister for Interior Ch. Nisar Ali Khan and Provincial Minister for Law Rana Sanaullah were also present on the occasion. As a result of successful negotiations, the government allowed the delegation of ulema to offer funeral prayers for three dead bodies in Liaqat Bagh. The ulema had assured that peace will be maintained at all costs during funeral prayers.

The Chief Minister said that ulema will have to cooperate with the government by utilizing their collective wisdom for the promotion of   peace, unity and harmony. He said that there are followers of all sects in Punjab including Sunni, Shia, Ahle Hadiat, Bralvi and also other religions including Christianity, Sikhism and Hinduism and others and they will have to live peacefully in the country. He said that there are Shias and Sunnis in other countries of the world especially Muslim countries but such incidents never occur there and they are participating in the process of development of these countries under a code of conduct. He said that he personally reviewed security arrangements during Muharram ul Haram and as a result of these various, no incident of terrorism occurred throughout Punjab but unfortunately the tragic incident took place in Rawalpindi on 10^th Muharram.

The Chief Minister said that Pakistan is facing terrorism, extremism, weak economy and several other challenges and there is a need of mutual unity and harmony at this critical juncture.  He said that government has already taken a decision to conduct an inquiry into Rawalpindi incident on 10^th of Muharram by a judge of High Court. He said that the persons involved in any administrative and security lapse will not be spared. He said that a committee has been constituted to inquire into the incident from various angles and for assessment of the losses to property. He made an appeal to ulema to maintain peace and mutual brotherhood in the society. He also assured the delegation of early completion of judicial inquiry and bringing the culprits to justice. He also issued orders to Secretary Health for providing the best treatment facilities to injured persons. He also issued instructions for provision of alternative place on temporary basis for the offering of prayers and continuation of education by the students of Madrasa Taaleem ul Quran. He said that people expect from ulema that they will give the message of peace and unity in the society. He said that history will never forgive ulema if any damage was caused to Pakistan by sectarian prejudices.