Religious scholars renounce terrorism, back security forces at Paigham-e-Pakistan event

PESHAWAR: The National Paigham-e-Aman Committee on Thursday announced that Friday will be observed across Pakistan as Paigham-e-Pakistan Day, with special messages and statements to be delivered during Friday sermons to promote peace, unity and harmony.

The announcement was made during a joint press conference at the Governor House in Peshawar by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and members of the National Paigham-e-Aman Committee, comprising religious scholars from all schools of thought.

Kundi thanked the committee members and welcomed them to Peshawar, saying Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was given priority as it has been the worst affected by terrorism.

He said security forces and police personnel had made immense sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, while civilians had also suffered greatly. The governor said the nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan Army in this war.

Paigham-e-Aman Committee Coordinator Allama Tahir Ashrafi said that the committee had launched its nationwide campaign from Peshawar due to the province’s heavy losses from terrorism and would visit other cities where peace initiatives are needed.

He said that the committee would continue its outreach across the country to spread the message of peace, unity and national cohesion.

Ashrafi said that Paigham-e-Pakistan represents the country’s fundamental national consensus and described it as the strongest national document after the Constitution.

He said the unanimous fatwa under Paigham-e-Pakistan, signed by scholars from all schools of thought including the Imam of the Kaaba, clearly declares terrorism and suicide bombings un-Islamic.

He said terrorism has no connection with Islam and that killing innocent people is strictly forbidden.

“Islam is a religion of peace and love,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s religious leadership stands firmly with the state and national institutions.

Ashrafi said Afghan Taliban must ensure peace with Pakistan, stressing that most terrorist incidents were linked to elements operating across the border.

He said Pakistan had hosted Afghan refugees for decades and now expects Afghanistan to play its role in ensuring regional peace.

He said the vision of the Paigham-e-Aman Committee is to stand with the armed forces against all threats to the country.

He recalled his participation in the Afghan jihad in 1984 and questioned why Pakistani children, including cadets and APS students, continue to be targeted by terrorism.

Ashrafi said the Pakistan Army and the nation are strong, declaring that all mosques and religious seminaries in Pakistan stand united against terrorism.

He said supporting the enemies of Pakistan is worse than the actions of the Khawarij, while the struggle against extremism and disorder was described as Jihad-e-Akbar.

Mufti Abdul Rahim said that fighting the Khawarij-like mindset is a legitimate and righteous struggle, adding that the armed forces of Pakistan are guardians of Islam and peace.

He said supporting the armed forces is a religious duty, while the killing of any innocent person is strictly forbidden in Islam.

Committee members reiterated their resolve to promote peace and harmony, saying Afghanistan must now decide whether it wants peace.

They said women and children are being killed in terrorist attacks and questioned where such acts could ever be justified.

The Paigham-e-Aman Committee reaffirmed its commitment to playing a key role in establishing peace and announced that this Friday will be observed nationwide as Paigham-e-Pakistan Day, with religious scholars delivering a unified message of peace from mosques across the country.