Over 100 books seized

LAHORE: On the recommendations of Muttahida Ulema Board, more than 100 books comprising hateful and sacrilegious content have been seized during last eight months.

Muttahida Ulema Board Punjab has been working in complete understanding with publishers and traders of religious books of Urdu Bazar, Lahore, said Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council, Muttahida Ulema Board Punjab.

According to a press release issued here on Monday, talking to the media after meeting with the representatives of Publishers of Urdu Bazar Lahore, Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi stated that Ulema Board Punjab is committed to ending publishing of hateful books and pamphlets containing sacrilegious content. He also added Ulema Board and traders of Urdu Bazar are in complete understanding to filter books and publishing items having hateful content.

Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi also stated that PTI government is supporting the seminaries and Organisations of Madaris-e-Arabia, adding government does not aim at changing syllabus of seminaries. Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi also stated that registration of seminaries with Ministry of Education is good omen.

Thirty-member delegation of Urdu Bazar Trade Union and Publishers held meeting with Chairman Muttahida Ulema Board Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi. During the meeting, Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi stated that publishing of hateful content will not be tolerated in the country adding that some imported books comprised on hateful content, which can fan sectarian hatred in the country. Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi also stated that Punjab government is making legislation to keep check on all such books having hateful and sacrilegious content. Ministry of Law and justice and Muttahida Ulema Board has been making cohesive mechanism in this regard to keep check on all such books and literature, said Tahir Ashrafi, adding that Standing Committee of Ministry of Law and justice has also forwarded some recommendations to federal government in this regard.

Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi also appealed to publishers and writers to promote interfaith dialogue and interfaith harmony and encourage the publishers to publish books and literature to promote interfaith dialogue.

He termed report of US State Department relating International Freedom of Religion relating Pakistan baseless and having misleading information.