Ashrafi stresses national unity against divisive agendas

Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) Allama Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi has declared national unity the strongest defense against internal discord and external pressures, and said that Pakistan had emerged stronger through the collective resolve of its people, armed forces and religious leadership. Addressing an Inter-Sect Harmony Seminar here on Sunday, he reaffirmed unwavering support for Kashmir and warned against attempts to fuel sectarian divisions and instability in the country. He termed “Maarka-e-Haq” as the greatest victory of this century and said that the success reflected the unity and resilience of Pakistani nation. He paid tribute to the Pak armed forces and national leadership particularly Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their role in safeguarding national interests and strengthening Pakistan’s position during challenging circumstances. He said that recent regional developments had once again highlighted the importance of national cohesion and collective wisdom. Referring to tensions in the Middle East and attacks on Iran, Tahir Ashrafi said that Pakistan’s Shia and Sunni scholars had demonstrated exemplary unity by jointly condemning aggression and rejecting efforts to exploit regional conflicts for creating sectarian unrest within the country. “The enemies of Islam want to divide Muslim Ummah but religious leadership of Pakistan has consistently stood for unity, tolerance and mutual respect”, he said, adding that the scholars from different schools of thought had unanimously declared any insult to the Khulafa-e-Rashideen, Ummahat-ul-Momineen (May Allah be pleased with all of them) and all sacred personalities of Islam as forbidden in addition to emphasizing respect for the sanctities and beliefs of all Islamic traditions. He said that the unity displayed by Pakistani scholars had foiled the attempts of creating divisions among Muslims and sent a strong message that religious harmony remained a national priority in Pakistan. He stressed that Musli