LAHORE: As many as 30 religious parties have endorsed an edict (fatwa) against target killing, sectarian murders and suicide attacks issued by Sunni Ittehad Council Pakistan.

The parties, including Jamat-e-Ahle Sunnat Pakistan, Markzi Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan, Nizam-e-Pakistan Party, Ittehadul Mashaikh Pakistan, Tahafuz-e-Namoos-e-Risalat Mahaz, Sunni Ulema Board, Pakistan Muslim Front, Anjuman Naujawanan-e-Islam, Jamaat Raza-e- Mustafa, Markzi, Bazm-e-Mushtaqan-e-Rasool, Sunni Tanzeemul Quran, Naeemin Association, Rashida Foundation, Sunni Foundation, Anjuman-e-Fidayan-e-Mustafa, Tanzeem Nawa-e-Muslim, Majlis-e-Ulema-e-Nazamia and Mustafai Tehrik supported the Fatwa in their separate statements issued on Wednesday.

Several ulema of these parties welcomed the edict.

The ulema said that it was not a service of religion to kill innocent people or violate the sanctity of the holy places and mosques.

They urged all the religious scholars to issue fatwas against target killings and suicide attacks, so that the killing of innocent people could be stopped.

They said that ulema and Mashaikh from all schools of thought should come forward with courage against terrorism and Talibanisation and react against such acts by playing their affective role to end hatred.