Punjab’s Minister for Health and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order, Khawaja Salman Rafique, on Sunday met Allama Syed Sajid Ali Naqvi, head of Tehreek Jafaria-e-Pakistan, to express condolence over the martyrdom of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei, and Iranian citizens.
Salman Rafique meets Allama Naqvi, condoles Ayatollah Khamenei’s martyrdom
RAWALPINDI, Mar 08 (APP):Punjab’s Minister for Health and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order, Khawaja Salman Rafique, on Sunday met Allama Syed Sajid Ali Naqvi, head of Tehreek Jafaria-e-Pakistan, to express condolence over the martyrdom of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei, and Iranian citizens.
He prayed for the elevation of the martyrs’ ranks. Additional Secretary Home Abdul Rauf, Commissioner Rawalpindi Engineer Amir Khattak, Deputy Commissioner Dr Waqar Hassan Cheema and City Police Officer Syed Khalid Hamdani, the focal person of the Shia Ulema Council Punjab Qasim Ali Qasmi, and Syed Sikander Abbas Gilani were present in the meeting.
Speaking to the media, Khawaja Salman Rafique said the martyrdom of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was a source of grief for every Muslim and that Pakistan was the first country to condemn the attack on Iran.
He said that, on the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, meetings with religious scholars from different schools of thought were continuing to promote unity, harmony and peace in the country.
The minister noted that protests had taken place in some parts of Punjab but the administration handled the situation with patience following the chief minister’s instructions.
He assured that strict security arrangements would be in place for Youm-e-Ali and Youm-ul-Quds. The minister praised the role of security agencies, police and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in maintaining public safety.
Referring to the Pak-Afghan border situation, he said Pakistan’s armed forces were confronting terrorists courageously. “Under the leadership of the prime minister and the Field Marshal, anti-state elements will be defeated,” he said, adding that border areas were being monitored through drones. Police, he said, were also being equipped with modern technology, and every step was being taken to ensure the safety of soldiers, police personnel and citizens.
Allama Sajid Naqvi emphasised his commitment to peace and national unity, stating that Pakistan had no sectarian divide and that he had always respected all schools of thought.
