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LAHORE, Oct 29 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif presided over a meeting of the Ittehad Bain-ul-Muslimeen Committee, here on Wednesday.
On Chief Minister Punjab’s request, Chairman of Tanzeem-ul-Madaris Ahl-e-Sunnat Pakistan Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman attended the meeting as a special guest. She warmly welcomed the Ulema and Mashaikh. Scholars from all schools of thought expressed their complete support for the Punjab government’s principled stance and endorsed its efforts for maintaining peace in the province.
During the meeting, it was decided that the management of sealed mosques would be handed over to Tanzeem-ul-Madaris Ahl-e-Sunnat Pakistan. She directed immediate release of individuals proven innocent and directed officials to ensure their dignified return home. She also directed to ensure maintenance of respect for religious symbols and sacred names appearing on posters and banners.
The CM agreed in principle to grant a monthly stipend of Rs. 25,000 for mosque Imams. Provincial Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique and Secretary Law & Order were appointed as focal persons for maintaining liaison with the Ulema. The meeting was briefed that reports regarding innocent detainees can be made via helpline 15.
The CM described the Ulema as the conscience of the Muslim Ummah, stating that those who guide people in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) are a source of pride for the entire nation. She emphasized that true love for the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is demonstrated through compassion, tolerance, and peace, not through violence.
The CM questioned why the state had been compelled to take action, noting that while many pious individuals exist among religious groups, those who damaged public property and took innocent lives cannot be justified under any circumstances. She emphasized that safeguarding citizens’ lives, property, and dignity is the foremost duty of the state, and that disrupting daily life or attacking security forces in the name of religion is utterly unacceptable. She condemned individuals who incite violence from mosque pulpits or misuse mosques for political or violent purposes, reminding that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) preached mercy and compassion, not destruction. “True lovers of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) shed tears when they hear his blessed name, not blood,” she remarked.
The CM said that while Palestinians were celebrating a ceasefire, some miscreants in Pakistan were instead calling for violent marches on Islamabad. She termed the misuse of religion for political objectives deeply regrettable and intolerable. Criticizing the torching of sanitation vehicles under the ‘Suthra Punjab’ program, she said such acts cause a loss to the people’s hard-earned money. She added that the protection of diplomatic missions is the state’s top priority and strongly condemned any attempts to attack them.
Referring to false claims about mass casualties being circulated online, the CM said that a person imprisoned in Adiala Jail continues to incite unrest by spreading baseless figures of deaths and injuries. “If hundreds had been killed, where are the bodies? If thousands were injured, where were they treated?” she questioned. She noted that no evidence of casualties was ever presented, while videos of raids and recoveries were widely shared. She pointed out that when a police inspector was martyred, his funeral was held publicly for everyone to see.
Expressing sorrow over the tragic loss of lives, she said it was painful that families were deprived of their loved ones and that a large quantity of weapons was recovered from miscreants.
She further recalled that during the tenure of the same person now in Adiala Jail, people were attacked inside mosques and leaders like Ahsan Iqbal narrowly escaped assassination attempts. She condemned malicious social media campaigns targeting law enforcement agencies, saying that such efforts aim only to malign state institutions and political parties. “The House of Allah must be used for prayer and guidance, not for violence,” she stressed.
Referring to recent incidents, she said modern weapons had been recovered from individuals who planned to use them against the state. She emphasized that those who raise arms against the state cannot claim to represent religion or politics. “We too have faced difficult times, but we chose patience, not violence,” she said. The CM added that Islam upholds equality before the law for both men and women, condemning the use of women as shields and the hiding of weapons in mosques. She underscored that the sanctity of homes and women’s dignity must always be respected. She announced that the Punjab government will fix a monthly stipend of Rs. 25,000 for 65,000 mosque Imams across the province, an initiative directed by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, to reduce their dependence on public donations.
CM Maryam Nawaz urged religious scholars to guide the people towards peace and support the government in maintaining law and order.
On the occasion, Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman emphasized the need for peace, restraint, and adherence to the law, clarifying that there are no restrictions on the use of loudspeakers or sermons, but violations must be dealt with firmly.
Dr. Raghib Naeemi said that miscreants should not be shown any leniency, while Sahibzada Asad Ubaid stressed that safeguarding Pakistan is a shared responsibility.
Dr. Muhammad Hussain Akbar prayed for protection from evildoers, and Ziaullah Shah Bokhari assured complete support for the government’s peace initiatives, praising the ‘Suthra Punjab’ and Green Bus Service projects as commendable welfare measures.