Pakistan’s Clerics Urge Taliban to Enforce Anti-Militancy Fatwa
DID Press: Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) urged the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan to fully implement a recent resolution issued by more than 1,000 Afghan religious scholars, which rejects participation in militant activities beyond Afghanistan’s borders.
Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council, welcomed the resolution on Sunday, calling it “a positive step in the right direction.” He said responsibility for enforcing the declaration now lies with Afghanistan’s current rulers, adding that the position of Afghan scholars is fully aligned with that of Pakistani clerics.
Explaining the core points of the resolution, Ashrafi said Afghan scholars have declared any violation of Afghanistan’s territorial integrity unacceptable, while Pakistan similarly rejects terrorism on its own soil. He emphasized that both sides agree Afghanistan’s territory must not be used against other countries, and that attacks from Afghanistan into Pakistan—or vice versa—must be prevented.
Ashrafi stressed that regional peace and stability serve the interests of all neighboring countries, and praised mediation efforts by Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia aimed at easing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
He also warned against attempts to generate negative propaganda against Pakistan’s armed forces, saying that such actions would face a firm response. Ashrafi added that, if necessary, religious seminaries and mosques stand ready to support national security and stability, describing the defense of the country as a collective responsibility.
Calling on political parties to demonstrate maturity and engage in dialogue, Ashrafi urged a focus on strengthening Pakistan’s defense, economy, and internal stability. He said the use of abusive or inflammatory political rhetoric undermines peace.
Ashrafi further noted that scholars from all Islamic schools of thought unanimously reject violence, emphasizing that their objective is to work toward an Islamic system through peaceful means.
In closing, the chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council strongly condemned recent criticism and attacks against Pakistan’s military media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) director general.