ISLAMABAD: Allama Tahir Ashrafi has received threats from the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), mainly over a ‘decree’ he issued condemning the attack on Army Public School in Peshawar and terming it against the principles of Islam.

An advisory has been issued by the Punjab government on the basis of information received from security agencies in which it has stated that TTP (Hazro Group) was planning to target clerics who opposed them.

The advisory has been issued to all the concerned police departments and even offices of security agencies in Punjab.

The advisory says that Taliban commander Naikullah has carried out a reconnaissance of a number of targets in Peshawar, and has now been detailed in Lahore to work on likely targets.

Meanwhile, talking to Dawn, Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) Chairman Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi reiterated his resolve to continue his fight against extremism and terrorism.

“We believe in practicing Islam in its true form,” Hafiz Ashrafi said, adding that “killings or persecutions - be it sectarian or against the people of other religions - is all against the principles of Islam; we condemn it.”

Pakistan Ulema Council has been at the forefront when it comes to speaking for victims accused of blasphemy without any reliable proof, and protecting places of worship of Christians and Hindus.

Being a member of Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), Hafiz Ashrafi has raised concerns over rising sectarianism and religious terrorism, and demanded code of ethics in this regard.

“I have received threats even on talk shows by some elements but this does not mean that I will start following their path,” Ashrafi added.

Published in Dawn March 24th , 2015

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