ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appointed Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC), the coordinator for religious harmony and for the Pakistani diaspora in the Middle East and Muslim countries.
Hafiz Ashrafi is also a member of the Supreme Council of the Muslim World League and is affiliated with several prominent international and Islamic organisations.
He has held similar positions in previous governments, and the latest appointment comes at a critical time, given the evolving situation in the Muslim world and the strategic importance of Pakistan’s relations with Gulf and other Islamic countries.
Previously serving as a special representative, Hafiz Ashrafi brings extensive experience in religious diplomacy, interfaith engagement and international outreach.
A member of the Council of Islamic Ideology, Hafiz Ashrafi and the PUC have been vocal in opposing the misuse of blasphemy laws and in promoting religious harmony across the country.
Published in Dawn, January 2nd, 2026
