ISLAMABAD: The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has said no individual has the right to declare government officials and members of armed forces and other security agencies “infidels”.

In its code of conduct issued for the public, the CII said only religious scholars can determine whether a person is an infidel, in light of religious principles. “The final decision in this regard will be made by courts.”

The 20-point code has been prepared in light of Paigham-i-Pakistan — a comprehensive document on counter-terrorism launched in 2018.

The code of conduct said all forms of coercion, armed actions against the state, violence and disorder in the name of enforcing Islam were sedition. “All these actions are against the spirit of Sharia.”

Scholars, clerics and people from all walks of life should “give full support to the state and its institutions”, especially the law enforcement agencies and the armed forces so that violence can be eradicated.

MWM accuses Punjab govt of ‘harassing’ majlis organisers

It added that citizens are duty-bound to recognise the Consti­tution’s supremacy, hon­­our the state and fulfil their oath of allegianceto the state in all circumstances.

The code refrained citizens from becoming a part of movements based on linguistic, regional, religious and communal prejudices against the state. The state will take strict action against such groups.

It called sectarian hatred, armed sectarian conflict and forceful imposition of views on others “a clear violation of the Sharia.”

The religious educational institution should not preach militancy, train or promote hatred, extremism and violence, it said, adding strict action will be taken against such individuals or institutions based on evidence.

The CII code of conduct was devised in a meeting chaired by Chairman

Dr Qibla Ayaz and attended by 16 clerics and leaders belonging to all the mainstream religious parties.

Later, addressing a news conference at the National Press Club, Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen Chairman Allama Raja Nasir AbbWas said it was a tradition in the country that Shias and Sunnis would listen to Muharram’s majlis together.

“The majlis and procession related to the mourning of Imam Hussain have become a security issue in Pakistan, but instead of facilitating azadari, the government, especially the Punjab government, was harassing the organisers and participants of majlis,” he alleged.

Published in Dawn, July 23th, 2023