LAHORE: Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) Chairman Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi on Sunday asserted that dialogue should strictly be conducted with groups that accept the Constitution, explicitly ruling out any accommodation of or engagement with those who reject the country’s supreme law.

Addressing a press conference here, Hafiz Ashrafi stated that attacks on innocent civilians, suicide bombings and targeted strikes on security forces were completely unacceptable.

Warning that hostile elements are attempting to spread terrorism in Pakistan, he called for immediate national unity and appealed for peace within the constitutional framework across troubled regions, including Kashmir, Bajaur and Balochistan.

Expressing deep concern over the rising incidents of sexual violence in the country, the PUC chief appealed to the president, the prime minister, and the chief justice of Pakistan to enact swift legislation, ensuring that rape cases are tried and disposed of within three months.

On governance, Ashrafi warned that violations of the Constitution erode state institutions, emphasising that the rule of law must be upheld unconditionally.

He remarked that creating new provinces alone would not solve systemic issues unless backed by effective governance in both small and large provinces.

Urging the political leadership to jointly address economic distress, he called on Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to activate price control committees, alongside launching infrastructure projects to curb spiraling inflation.

Touching upon regional politics, PUC head cited the ongoing PPP-PML-N coalition in Gilgit-Baltistan, expressing hope that both parties would similarly form a joint government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

He also announced that the PUC will host nationwide events throughout August under the banner of ‘Paigham-e-Pakistan’ to promote peace and harmony.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2026