Youm-e-Ali observed peacefully due to govt’s effective strategy: Kh Salman

LAHORE, Mar 12 (APP): Punjab Minister and Chairman Cabinet Committee for Law and Order Khawaja Salman Rafique has said that Youm-e-Ali (RA) was observed very peacefully across Punjab due to the excellent strategy of the provincial government.

He expressed these views during a series of meetings with religious scholars held on the instructions of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif. In this regard, a delegation of scholars met the provincial minister at the Home Department here on Thursday. The meeting focused on inter-Muslim unity and reviewed the law and order situation across the province.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said that all available resources are being utilized to ensure peace in Punjab. He appreciated the positive role played by religious scholars in promoting unity among Muslims on the occasion of Youm-e-Ali (RA). He said the peaceful observance of the day across the province was the result of the government’s effective planning and cooperation of scholars and the public.

The minister said that mutual understanding and unity are the most important requirements for maintaining peace. He added that all segments of society are standing behind the law enforcement agencies for the security and stability of Pakistan. He said peace committees across Punjab remained fully active during the holy month of Ramadan, while the provincial government is promoting interfaith harmony and unity among Muslims throughout the province. He also acknowledged that scholars play a highly effective role in the moral and social reform of society.

Speaking on the occasion, Khatib and Imam of Badshahi Mosque and Chairman Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad said that scholars are promoting unity among Muslims through the platforms of the minbar and mehrab. He strongly condemned the martyrdom of Supreme Leader Shaheed Syed Ayatollah Khamenei and said that the challenges facing the Muslim world today can only be addressed through unity and solidarity. He added that the positive policies of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif are being appreciated by the imams of mosques.

Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad said that Hazrat Syedna Ali Al-Murtaza Day was observed with great respect and devotion, while the arrangements made by the Punjab government were exemplary.

Other scholars present on the occasion said that they are fully cooperating with the Punjab government for the establishment of peace, law and order, and promotion of mutual harmony. They termed the consultation process with scholars of all schools of thought a positive step. Special prayers were also offered for the development, security and prosperity of the country and the nation.

The delegation of scholars was led by Khatib and Imam Badshahi Mosque Lahore and Chairman Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad. Participants also paid tribute to the success of Pakistan’s brave armed forces in operations against Fitna-ul-Khawarij and Fitna-ul-Hindustan.

Members of the delegation included Maulana Hafiz Asad Obaid, Maulana Aziz ur Rahman Sani, Maulana Zafarullah Shafiq, Mufti Muhammad Ramzan Sialvi, Allama Qazi Abdul Ghaffar Qadri, Mufti Syed Ashiq Hussain Shah, Maulana Mukhtar Nadeem, Allama Zubair Ahmed Zaheer, Maulana Masood Qasim Qasmi, Allama Muhammad Rashid Turabi, Mufti Fateh Muhammad Rashidi, Mufti Muhammad Ahmed, Maulana Shafiq Awan, Hafiz Kazim Raza Naqvi, Pir Wali ullah Shah, Dr Mufti Abdul Karim, Maulana Maqsood Tohidi, Maulana Bilal Golrawi and Syed Muhammad Abdul Baseer Azad along with other respected scholars and mashaikhs.

DIG Rai Babar Saeed, DG Auqaf Shahid Hussain Kalyani, Additional Secretary Internal Security, Additional Secretary Special Initiative, SSP Captain (retd) Tahir and other relevant officers were also present on the occasion.