Injustice in the name of religion denounced

E-Paper | May 22, 2026

KARACHI: An Ulema and Mashaikh convention organised by the Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) on Wednesday denounced all forms of terrorism and violence against Muslims and non-Muslims in the name of religion and called upon the government to deal with terrorists with an iron hand.

The convention also urged the government to arrest and punish those actually responsible for recent attacks in the interior of Sindh and ‘extrajudicial killings’ of youths in Karachi.

Allama Tahir Ashrafi, the chief of the PUC, organised the convention and National Peace Conference, which was attended by people belonging to different walks of life and representatives of over 30 political and religious parties.

A joint communiqué containing a code of conduct signed by representatives of political and religious parties was read out by Allama Ashrafi.

He said that the peace convention expressed its deep concern over the increasing incidents of torture and extremism in the country and appealed to all religious and political parties and people belonging to any religion or sect to respect each other’s views. All citizens, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, had equal rights and any kind of injustice in the name of religion was against the Constitution, it added.

Allama Ashrafi said that those involved in sectarian violence and terrorism and attacks on places of worship of non-Muslims, were not well-wishers of Islam and their acts brought a bad name to Pakistan.

He said that the participants of the peace convention unanimously condemned all acts that caused scare and panic among non-Muslims.

He said that such elements were working against the Constitution of Pakistan and they should be taken to task.

About the blasphemy law, the convention agreed that stern punishment should be handed down to any blasphemer, but the law should not be used for victimising innocent people.

Allama Ashrafi said that the convention expressed deep concern over ‘enforced disappearance and extrajudicial killing’ of youths in Karachi and called upon the government to order an impartial inquiry to unmask the elements involved in such acts.

He said that the participants of the convention agreed that the use of loudspeaker should be restricted to Azan and sermons in Arabic.

MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar spoke against the Pakistan Protection Ordinance and said that the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl) and Jamaat-i-Islami were with the MQM in opposing the PPO in parliament.

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Pakistan

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Sajjad Ali Gopang

Apr 17, 2014 07:30am

I appreciate this step of Ulamas, this step should be taken before. Now its time to see either its just in words or some actions will be taken?

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TAM

Apr 17, 2014 07:46am

It is all nice and easy for the PUC to discuss and agree such items in the convention. The moment they leave the podium and are backstage, the hatred and fightings continue as before. "About the blasphemy law, the convention agreed that stern punishment should be handed down to any blasphemer, but the law should not be used for victimising innocent people" The law should not be used for victimising innocent people. Tell me who has a control on making sure such rulings are practised? Allama Ashrafi Sahib, for all the agreed recommendations what is the stance on Ahmadis?

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AZMAISH

Apr 17, 2014 08:42am

Many thanks to Dawn for highlighting some positive news about the country. Let's hope that all these parties actually follow up with concrete measures to alleviate ignorance and violence which has no place in Quaid e Azam's vision of a just and humane Pakistan.

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Shahid

Apr 17, 2014 08:49am

Not the first time this sort of a step has been taken by the those religious groups in the country who are greater in numbers but much less vocal than the misguided, militant minority. Last year, there was a similar denouncement of terrorism in the name of Islam by another conglomeration of Pakistani Muslim scholars. Also, last year the PTI government in KP had circulated pamphlets in the public advertising the fact that religious scholars had termed TTP's suicide bombing to be "haram." All these things seldom get the sort of media attention that they deserve, but part of the problem lies with the readership too. Per Aunt Madonna, "you only see what your eyes want to see."

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meharali

Apr 17, 2014 08:50am

@Sajjad Ali Gopang: I think you haven't learned anything yet. Of course its all talk.

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Zia

Apr 17, 2014 08:56am

If these people were sincere then all what we see today in Pakistan would have never happened. The root cause of Pakistan's problems is religious intolerance which starts from 50s and nurtured through various regimes in power. Everyone played with the religious sentiments by exploiting illiterate and literate masses. Unless and until there is a sincere resort to solve hatred among the religious groups, I do not see any change in the current condition. I have an answer that is to put a shut on every mohallah mosque khateeb - can they do it??? If they can see the improvement. Religious hatred has gone beyond control and no one is interested in solving this problem and those who wish are they speaking with their hands at heart or just they meet for photo ups. How much these so called Ulema have done to preach against hatred every one seems to be scoring points for self interest. Can one these Ulema to a church or to a Hindu temple and say prayers there??? They need to change concepts at the ground level and work on dialogue between the religions and then see where these ulema stand then. There is no use of going to for an Umra or Hajj if they come back spew venom against each other. They have brought Pakistan to a shameless category of nations

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Daniel Shiger

Apr 17, 2014 09:05am

@TAM: Actually these ulema have been advocating terrorist activities against minorities in Pakistan and not one ever raised a little finger against the atrocities. Now this terrorism has come to their own doors, now they started preaching otherwise. Dual standards, but lets hope for the best. Time will prove whether this time again these are mere words or followed by actions too.

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Riza Afghan

Apr 17, 2014 09:22am

hypocrisy at its finest!!! This so called Allama Tahir Ashrafi told Media that killing Afghans in Jahid is fully allowed in the name of Islam and now when it's about Pakistanis, it's against Islam? Really???

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Parvez

Apr 17, 2014 09:25am

It is already too late. The harm to religion has already been done. Remember, some of the participants of this meeting advocated and supported the murder of Salman Taseer. Just ask them to condemn this murder and they will refuse. They are responsible for maligning religion for petty benefits and they are not the ones who can reverse this trend.

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sri

Apr 17, 2014 09:42am

i think every religion should be protected from balsphemers. even if the majoority religion of pak speaks against minority relgions the govt should mete out equal punishment

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Ravi Dallas TX

Apr 17, 2014 09:56am

"stern punishment should be handed down to any blasphemer". Why so? Why don't you add Christianity and Hinduism so anyone perpertuates blasphemous act towards other religions will also get stern punishment? And why this great luxury only to Islam? What if whole world has similar favors to their own majority religions like Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Sikh - what will be fate of Muslims and where would they end up? Time to use some common sense.

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Amir Bangash

Apr 17, 2014 09:56am

This is the real stand of maximum Pakistani Ulema for which they have continuously been targeted and killed by the terrorists who use the name of Islam. Those killing machines are just doing a profitable business where as the innocent people die. But the irony of fate is that we as a nation have badly failed to take on the terrorists killing people more than a decade now.

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Husain Jan

Apr 17, 2014 10:02am

He said that such elements were working against the Constitution of Pakistan and they should be taken to task. Well, well Ashrafi saheb, such things have been said before and repeatedly too, but to no effect. You also said that "The culprits should be taken to task" and this is also a oft repeated demand from all and sundry. But when, if at all ? Is a big question. Those in the assemblies are in favour of talks, and not action. Talks with terrorists is beyond all comprehension, but our rulers are hell bent to continue talks, come what may.

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aziz

Apr 17, 2014 11:14am

A very welcome announcement by the Pakistan Ulema Council. Please repeat the message ad nauseum from every platform and highlight the punishment prescribed for transgressors.

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Amir Bangash

Apr 17, 2014 11:37am

I appreciate the principle stand and efforts of the Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) for elimination of terrorism from the country.

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Parvez

Apr 17, 2014 12:40pm

Just talking, making it happen is what matters.

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khanm

Apr 17, 2014 12:59pm

injustice is injustice if is done in the name of religion or in any other name

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sadiq

Apr 17, 2014 02:20pm

Every one stop for one second and think. Allah SWT did not send a honest Government in Mecca and Madina, which straightened out the people. He sent a prophet , who taught us TO STRIGHTEN OUR SELVES. When enough people became GOD FEARING, an honest Govt came into existence. Now let us look at our selves, and answer to our selves. Did you pray Did you lie today. Did you gain money and favors by Haram techniques. Did you mix impurities, into the food stuff. Did you mix water and powder in the milk. Did you give the poor and workers, their due. Did you measure correctly, the petrol, CNG, sugar, Ata. Did you sell dead meat, rotten fruit,in a box of otherwise good looking fruit. Do we know somebody in our family, friends and neighbors , who does these terrible things. Are we going to stop them. WE NEED TO CLEAN HOUSE, BUT START WITH YOURSELF, THEN YOUR FAMILY, THEN THE NEIGHBOURHOODS. Read Quran, with translation, reflect on it, follow it.There are Ayahs in surah NISA, that tell about the penalty for killing another human being. What happened to these Mullahs. How come they did not teach it. But my brothers, STAND UP< CLEAN YOURSELF and do not give up hope. I am sure confident, it will take only one generation to clean up the mess. But enough people have to commit to it. May Allah help you.

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Shafiq Khan

Apr 17, 2014 03:06pm

A strange meeting and a stranger conclusion. Blasphemy laws negate every thing what the announcement purported to say. The learned cleric is poor in his logic. The Constitution after the mutilation of the dictator is not worth the paper it is written on. It is a monument to hypocrisy, if it protects wrong doers. It condemns Muslims who live free lives abroad, except the freedom of living in their beloved land with dignity and freedom of conscience. Islam in India (repartitions)flourished without blasphemy laws. These blasphemy laws are a carbuncle on the fair face of Pakistan. The scholars (though alien to the Shariah requirements) who are promoting peace and using unsustainable laws to subdue non- existing danger, are speaking with forked tongues. How can you have peace when your mad dogs are standing with their jack boots on the freedom of your countrymen ?

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Ravi

Apr 17, 2014 03:33pm

What a JOKE!

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SAN

Apr 17, 2014 03:34pm

@Daniel Shiger: It is "Law of Conservation of Harm"- The amount of Harm you create for others, the same amount of harm comes back to you. US created Osama agiainst USSR, Backlash occured. Pakistan created Terror Infrstructure to harm India, Now it is victim of terror. The same Law of nature applies everywhere..

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Umer

Apr 17, 2014 04:12pm

Mujh Ko Yaron Maaf Kardo Mein Nashay Mein Hooon!

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Shakeel

Apr 17, 2014 04:22pm

@TAM: Agree with your observations. Allama himself knows very well who was the key person who desecrated the Ahmadi graves in Lahore about a year ago. It was all hush from PUC and all others.

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Apr 17, 2014 05:07pm

Allama this, Maulana that. Who do they think they are? As long as Muslims in general and Pakistanis in particular keep the clergy on a pedestal they don't deserve they will remain in the dark ages. Just like medieval Europe was. Clergy imprisons the mind.

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gerry d'cunha

Apr 17, 2014 05:10pm

@Riza Afghan: your comment:they are all confused muslim society - all interpreting they own concept of islam

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khanm

Apr 17, 2014 06:07pm

@sadiq: people of Makkah or Medina can change but not the people of Pakistan...i have my serious doubts...where are we after 65 years of independence...in pits...

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Vinod

Apr 17, 2014 06:12pm

After eating 100 rats mouse cat is going to Haj.

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Apr 17, 2014 06:13pm

This all is just talk, very few scholars have the vision and foresight .When people talk of punishing others for so called blasphemy you can see their true colors. These scholars routinely pass hateful and insulting comments about other faiths like jews

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khanm

Apr 17, 2014 06:31pm

@Sajjad Ali Gopang: Do you want to know who you are? Don't ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.

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Sialkot wala

Apr 17, 2014 06:36pm

@Ravi Dallas TX: Why don't you take a break. Read some Indian papers. Do some commenting on Hindu extremists. like Amit Shah. Modi. Etc...these religious thugs in this country are no better than the Indian thugs.

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khanm

Apr 17, 2014 06:37pm

@AZMAISH: What's nice about concrete is that it looks unfinished.

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Srinivas

Apr 17, 2014 06:37pm

And you need an "Ulema" to convey this message! You guys dont have any sort of common sense! Way to go Pakistan. The more you get obsessed with your religion, the more good it is for the rest of the world.

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Karachi Wala

Apr 17, 2014 06:56pm

"All citizens, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, had equal rights and any kind of injustice in the name of religion was against the Constitution, it added.".... "About the blasphemy law, the convention agreed that stern punishment should be handed down to any blasphemer, but the law should not be used for victimising innocent people."... The above two, two liners show the truthfulness and honesty of Allama Tahir Ashrafi and the rest of PUC. One does not even need to read between the lines!!!

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Karachi Wala

Apr 17, 2014 07:01pm

@TAM: "Allama Ashrafi Sahib, for all the agreed recommendations what is the stance on Ahmadis? "... And for that matter, what is Allama sahib and PUC stance about Shias, Christians, Hindus, and any other weak segment of the society?

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Karachi Wala

Apr 17, 2014 07:08pm

@Ravi Dallas TX: "And why this great luxury only to Islam? What if whole world has similar favors to their own majority religions like Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Sikh - what will be fate of Muslims and where would they end up? Time to use some common sense." Ravi, you have a very valid point. I will wait eagerly for a response from Allama Tahir Ashrafi and other like minded ulemas. We already know where TTP stands on this issue.

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Man from UNCLE

Apr 17, 2014 07:10pm

To all the prudes here with the comments............religion is good for nothing. How long would you kill each other for a pie in the sky.

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Karachi Wala

Apr 17, 2014 07:16pm

@Sialkot wala: "@Ravi Dallas TX: Why don't you take a break. Read some Indian papers. Do some commenting on Hindu extremists. like Amit Shah. Modi. Etc...these religious thugs in this country are no better than the Indian thugs" Please do not look at who is saying. Pay attention to what is being said. Being Pakistani I wonder too. What if rest of the world adopted a same rules and same stance?

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DAAR

Apr 17, 2014 08:00pm

@Daniel Shiger: Agree.

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zahid

Apr 18, 2014 12:36am

Allama Ashrafi is 100% Fraudia.

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mohib khan

Apr 18, 2014 09:29am

This is a good omen. They were the ones who preached violence and were responsible for the asymmetry of the society. Now when they have realized after killing thousands that the approach was wrong. its welcome. The need of the hour is for the state to come and crush the criminals with an iron hand and the nation to stand behind the state and help in what way they can. This has to be eliminated from our society if we have to survive as a nation and a state.

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