ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) on Thursday said it will organise conferences and special programmes during Ramazan to preach unity and tolerance by negating the narratives of extremists and sectarian elements.

The announcement was made at the ‘Unity of Ummah Conference’ chaired by Hafiz Mohammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi who also said special ‘Sehr-o-Aftar’ programmes are also going to be held during the holy month.

“PUC has always called for the eradication of sectarian violence in Pakistan and has resolved that it will continue its cause and struggle for the eradication of terrorism, extremism and sectarian violence from Pakistan,” Hafiz Ashrafi said.

“We hope the Islamic Military Alliance will tackle Daesh and other terrorist organisations which are helping in terrorist acts in Islamic countries,” Hafiz Ashrafi said.

It was also decided to observe Friday May 26 as the Harmain Al-Sharifain Day across Pakistan. The conference adopted a declaration asking the government to take a firm stance on the execution of Kulbushan Yadev and condemned the ICJ’s decision, saying the court had turned a blind eye to what is happening in Kashmir, Palestine and Syria but was very quick in the Yadev’s case, which portrays its dual standards.

Maulana Zubair Ahmed Zaheer of the Jamaat Ahl-Hadith said Pakistan should not interfere in the affairs of other Muslim countries.

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2017