ISLAMABAD, Dec 25: A meeting of leaders of all religious schools of thought with Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior, Rehman Malik, approved on Thursday a code of conduct for ensuring peace and harmony during Muharram.

All the 19 ulema, who met the adviser, assured him that they would abide by the code of conduct.

They urged people to play a role in maintaining peace and report to the administration if they observed any suspicious elements.

The ulema asked Khateebs to preach the teachings of Islam and avoid utterances that offend sentiments.

Under the code of conduct, followers of all sects would respect others’ religious affiliation and take care of such actions as could undermine or hurt the sentiments of others.

The PM’s adviser said that security forces were on ‘red alert’ and all sensitive places were under close surveillance.

The ulema assured the government that they would set aside differences, stand united against any aggression and sacrifice their lives if India attacked Pakistan.

“All ulema and sects will stand by the government, army and the nation to take on Indian aggression,” said Mufti Muneebur Rahman, chief of the Tanzimul Madaris Al-Arabia Pakistan and the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee.

The ulema assured the world of their desire for peace in the region, but cautioned that wars of today would be far more catastrophic than those of the past.

“War will result only in devastation, leaving India with nothing but repentance,” said Mufti Muneeb, who headed the delegation.

“Who is sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan? We must be given the names of perpetrators of such heinous acts,” Mufti Muneeb said.

He condemned all acts of ‘unjustified’ killings and said Islam abhorred terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

“Those who are doing all this in the name of Islam are virtually defaming it in the world. We also strongly condemn the sacrilegious treatment to a body in Swat and term it contrary to the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The ulema also describe suicide attacks as un-Islamic, illegal and forbidden,” he said.