National Paigham-e-Aman Committee lauds scholars, security forces for peaceful Ashura observance

ISLAMABAD, Jun 26 (APP):Pakistan’s National Paigham-e-Aman Committee on Friday commended religious scholars, spiritual leaders, preachers, organisers of Majalis and Muharram processions, security institutions and federal and provincial authorities for their collective efforts in ensuring the peaceful observance of Ashura across the country.

In a joint statement, the committee said the atmosphere of peace, religious harmony and inter-sect tolerance witnessed during Muharram reflected the commitment and cooperation of all schools of thought, law enforcement agencies and government institutions.

The statement was issued by Prime Minister’s Coordinator for the National Paigham-e-Aman Committee and Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, along with prominent religious leaders, including Pir Naqeeb-ur-Rehman, Mufti Abdul Raheem, Maulana Syed Ziaullah Shah Bukhari, Mufti Karim Khan, Dr Asif Mir, Allama Arif Alvi, Allama Muhammad Hussain Akbar, Allama Tauqir Abbas, Maulana Adil Attari, Hafiz Muhammad Amjad, Maulana Ramzan Sialvi, Maulana Samiullah Agha, Maulana Nauman Naeem, Hafiz Maqbool Ahmad, Maulana Zahid Mansoor and other senior scholars.

The committee expressed gratitude to the Pakistan Armed Forces, security agencies, police departments of all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, as well as the federal and provincial governments, for maintaining law and order throughout the sensitive period.

It said the peaceful conclusion of Ashura demonstrated the success of coordinated efforts for promoting national unity, religious coexistence and public safety.

The committee reaffirmed its commitment to continue working closely with security institutions and governments at both the federal and provincial levels to strengthen inter-sect and interfaith harmony and discourage extremism and sectarian violence across the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Hafiz Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi thanked all members of the National Paigham-e-Aman Committee, religious scholars, peace committees and volunteers for their dedication in preserving peace during Muharram.

“By the grace of Almighty Allah and through the cooperation of our security institutions, religious scholars, preachers and organisers, the days of Ashura concluded in an atmosphere of peace, love, tolerance and mutual respect,” he said.

Ashrafi paid tribute to police personnel, Pakistan Armed Forces and other law enforcement agencies deployed across Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir for their professional services.

He said the post-Marka-e-Haq regional environment and the recent Iran-Israel conflict had created a challenging security situation, while hostile elements had attempted to exploit sectarian sensitivities to destabilise the country.

“However, with the collective efforts of scholars from all schools of thought, religious organisations, security institutions and governments, these attempts were successfully foiled,” he said.

Ashrafi credited the achievement to the blessings of Almighty Allah, the guidance of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and the strategic vision of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, saying their leadership had contributed to maintaining national unity and peace during Muharram.

Referring to isolated complaints regarding violations of the Paigham-e-Pakistan Code of Conduct, he said such incidents accounted for less than one percent of activities nationwide and would be addressed strictly in accordance with the law.

He expressed confidence that the spirit of unity, harmony, peace and religious tolerance demonstrated during Muharram would continue throughout the year.

Ashrafi also thanked Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and other federal and provincial ministers, government departments and administrations for extending full cooperation to the National Paigham-e-Aman Committee in ensuring peaceful observances across the country.

Concluding his message, he reiterated the committee’s appreciation to scholars, religious leaders and security institutions, saying their collective commitment had once again demonstrated that Pakistan’s diverse religious communities could stand together to uphold peace, national unity and mutual respect.