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28 religious, political parties hail Taliban-govt talks
LAHORE: Representatives of more than 28 religious and political parties, Muslim sects and non-Islamic religions have hailed the government-Taliban negotiations for the restoration of peace and stability in the country, and demanded the release of non-combatants and abductees in order to take the negotiation process forward.
They have reiterated the commitment made by the Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) and its partner organisations to continue supporting the negotiation process at every level.
This was stated in a joint declaration issued at the end of the Ulema Convention and Aman Seminar held in Khanewal by the PUC under the headship of Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi. The joint declaration also advised the government to make proper arrangements for people fleeing Waziristan and other tribal areas. These people should be sent back home as soon as peace is restored in their areas.
The joint declaration said that Madaras Arabia is Pakistan’s largest NGO that is providing education using its own resources.
“We want to make it clear that ground realities, rather than the opinions of a few people, should be considered when formulating the policy for Madaras Arabia,” the declaration said. It said the PUC and Tahafuz Madaras Arabia will never accept any illegal or unnecessary action taken against religious seminaries.
The joint declaration said that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) made education compulsory for not only men but women as well. “There are more than 250,000 girls currently studying in Madaras Arabia and the PUC would never allow anyone to prevent girls from acquiring education.”
The joint declaration further said that the creation of Pakistan was an outcome of the efforts of people belonging to all sects and religions. “Today, when Pakistan is in need of peace, all citizens of the country are ready to work for the restoration of peace regardless of their sect and religious beliefs.”
The joint declaration strongly condemned the attack on the Islamabad Sessions Court, and urged the Taliban to cooperate in the arrest of culprits behind this tragedy and identify groups that are trying to sabotage the negotiation process.
The joint declaration also expressed grief over the killing of 23 FC officials in Afghanistan, and urged the government to not just lodge a strong protest with the Afghan government over this incident but also inform the nation about what measures were taken for the safe release of these officials between 2010 and 2014. Diplomatic channels should be used to ask the Afghan government to hand over the dead bodies of the martyrs.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk