No religious killings or riots in Pakistan in last six months: Ashrafi

LAHORE: Leadership of all religions and religious schools of thought have announced to carry out a nationwide campaign to maintain sanctity and honour of holy places of all religions, said Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council, Special Representative to Prime Minister on Religious Harmony and Middle East.

Addressing a joint press conference here on Friday along with the leadership of Interfaith Harmony Council at a Lahore church, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi said that through this campaigning, people across the country will be made aware of respect and sanctity of holy places and of all religions and religious sects.

Islam and all religions of the world guide us to respect holy places and respective sanctity of all religions, said Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi adding that misuse of blasphemy law has been restrained and no false case has been registered for the last eight months in the country. He also stated that forced conversions and forceful underage marriages were also non-existent.

He said that use of Islamic rites at Qadiyani worship places is not legal in accordance to Shariah. The removal of Islamic rites by the police at Qadiyani worship places will make an end to chaos. The Constitution of Pakistan and Muslims is the protector of the rights of minorities living in Pakistan, said Hafiz Ashrafi.

Tolerance and harmony will increase in the society if we respect and honour worship places of all religions, he said adding that everyone must strive against Islamophobia.

No religious killings or riots have taken place in Pakistan in the last six months, said Tahir Ashrafi.

While addressing the press conference, he was also flanked by representatives of different religions and religious schools of thought, including Archbishop Lahore Sebastian Shah, Pastor Emanul Khokhar, Sardar Bishan Singh, Maulana Muhammad Khan Leghari, Pir Allama Muhammad Zubair Abid, Sohail Raza, Hafiz Noman, Allama Asghar Arif Chishti, Bhagat Lal, Pir Asadullah Farooq, Maulana Muhammad Ashfaq Patafi, Maulana Qari Muhammad Aslam Siddiqui, Qari Shamsul Haq, Maulana Mubashir Rahimi, Maulana Muhammad Aslam Qadri and others.

The representatives of different religions and religious schools of thought said, “We appeal to the followers of all sects and religions to do research before sharing anything on social media.” The anti-Pakistan forces propagate hateful content on social media to spread anarchy and chaos in the society.

Leadership of all sects and religions announced unanimously to launch a nationwide campaign from July 2, 2021 to honour the holy places and sanctity of all religions and to promote religious tolerance and harmony in the country. Through this countrywide campaigning, public will be made aware and guided in schools, colleges, universities and at public place on promoting religious tolerance and harmony. If any speaker, Zakir, preacher and cleric will spread sectarian violence and hateful material, action will be taken according to law.

The religious leadership also announced to endorse the statements of Prime Minister Imran Khan in the National Assembly with reference to Pakistan’s internal and foreign policy. They also announced to fully support the government’s policy on Afghanistan.

Replying to a question, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi said that efforts have been started at all respective levels for maintaining law and order during the month of Muharram-ul-Haram