ISLAMABAD: The Saudi-led military alliance is guarantor of Muslim unity, stability and security, said Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Tahir Ashrafi on Wednesday.
He added, “It is prestige for Pakistan and people of Pakistan that General (r) Raheel Sharif is going to head this alliance but some elements are conspiring against this military alliance and Saudi Arabia on sectarian grounds, which is very unfortunate.”
Ashrafi also said the alliance has been formed with the sole objective to eliminate terrorism, extremism and sectarian violence from the Muslim world.
He was talking to visiting delegates of various religions in connection of seeking arrangements for the upcoming “Second Message of Islam Conference” that is going to be held on April 12 in Islamabad.
He said that more than 48 Muslim countries are taking part in the Islamic Military Alliance and the appointment of General (r) Raheel as head of this force is recognition of his struggle for eradication of terrorism. Some forces are making conspiracies to turn this milestone into differences by associating sectarian grounds with this alliance and appointment of the general, said Ashrafi.
“If Western and European countries can form NATO alliance, then why questions are being raised on an Islamic military alliance?” Ashrafi asked. He added that Pakistan is an independent country and it has every right to form its internal and foreign policy as per its interests. Raheel Sharif has been chosen for this prestigious role by 48 countries and his appointment should not be associated with sectarian affiliations, said Ashrafi.
The alliance is ultimate need of the Muslim world to contain terrorism and extremism. The Pakistan Ulema Council has also been making endeavours to make ideological alliance of Muslims on pattern of the alliance to contain terrorists and extremists on ideological grounds, said Ashrafi, adding that PUC has been in coordination with leadership of Muslim countries on this issue. In this connection, Jamiat Ulema-e- Islam and PUC are going to hold the Message of Islam Conference next month to devise national narrative for elimination of terrorism and extremism from Pakistan.
On the occasion, PUC Secretary General Abdul Hameed Wattoo, Abdul Majeed Sabri, Tahir Aqeel, Nauman Hashir, Shahzad Ahmed Qureshi, Ashfaq Patafi, Qari Mumtaz Rabbani and Mushtaq Lahori were also present.
