KARACHI, Jan 20; Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz appealed on Saturday to the ulema across the country to maintain sectarian harmony and peace during Muharram. He said this while talking to a delegation of ulema of different schools of thought at the Governor’s House.

Emphasizing that Islam was a religion of tolerance, peace, compassion and moderation, Mr Aziz called for working jointly to transform Pakistan into a model of Islamic teachings of peace and brotherhood. He said ulema had special role to play in realising this objective.

He stressed the need for taking care of others sensitivities and work to promote Islamic values and traditions to prepare Pakistan to compete in a globalised world. He also referred to special arrangements made by the law enforcement agencies during Muharram. He emphasized that miscreants and subversive elements would be dealt with strictly.

The ulema assured the prime minister of their cooperation to ensure peace during Muharram.

In an earlier meeting presided over by the Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad Khan, religious scholars from different schools of thought expressed determination to maintain peace and harmony during Muharram.

We all ensure an environment of tolerance among all schools of thought and all programmes of Muharram, was the assurance given by Senator Allama Abbas Kumaili, Maulana Shah Turabul Haq Qadri, Allama Hassan Zafar, Haji Hanif Tayyab, Shahid Ghauri, Engineer Abdul Rehman and other ulema at the meeting.