CM Murad backs peace committee as Ashrafi says troops ‘do not guard borders for salaries’

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday reaffirmed provincial government’s commitment to promoting religious harmony and countering extremism during a meeting with Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Tahir Ashrafi and members of the National Peace Message Committee. Ashrafi also spoke at length about the sacrifice of soldiers, in response to the statements made by JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

Murad praised the committee’s role in promoting national cohesion: “Sindh has long been a land of Sufi traditions, tolerance and interfaith harmony where religious minorities celebrated their festivals freely.” He said protecting citizens’ rights and religious freedoms was the government’s responsibility and stressed that religious scholars must play a greater role in eliminating extremism and hate. The chief minister also said hateful content on social media should be countered through a positive national narrative and announced government support for a proposed provincial conference of religious scholars, spiritual leaders and interfaith representatives.

Ashrafi said the committee’s mission was to promote peace, tolerance and national unity, adding that the government and religious scholars were “on the same page” in tackling extremist elements. He said implementing the Paigham-e-Pakistan narrative could help eliminate extremism and sectarianism, while calling for strict action against those spreading sectarian hatred.

Commenting on the armed forces, Ashrafi said security personnel “do not stand at the borders merely for salaries” but serve with a sense of duty and sacrifice. “Our soldiers tell their mothers to pray that they attain martyrdom,” he said, adding that police, Rangers and the military continued to make sacrifices for the country.

He urged politicians to confine political disagreements to the political arena and avoid targeting state institutions, saying, “We are proud of our armed forces and will not allow anyone to insult our martyrs.” Ashrafi became emotional while paying tribute to fallen security personnel, saying their sacrifices had brought honour to Pakistan and that there could be “no compromise” on the country’s security and stability.

Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) Raghib Hussain Naeemi, who was also present, called for dialogue among followers of all sects and religions, saying lasting peace and national unity would also contribute to Pakistan’s economic development.

The meeting, attended by provincial ministers, the chief secretary and the inspector general of Sindh, focused on strengthening national unity, interfaith harmony and efforts to combat hate speech and sectarianism.