Non-Muslims enjoying religious freedom in Pakistan: Ashrafi

LAHORE: Chairman of Pakistan Ulema Council and Muttahida Ulema Board Allama Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi has said that all non-Muslim communities are enjoying equal rights and religious freedom in Pakistan and no one will be allowed to spread hatred on the name of religion in the country.

He was addressing a press conference after a consultative meeting with religious scholars from various schools of thought at the Lahore Press Club on Monday.

He said the constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan guarantees rights to every Muslim and non-Muslim citizen and minorities were fully protected in the country.

He said the Ulema during the meeting condemned the propaganda from enemies of Pakistan at the time of Prime Minister Imran Khan's US tour regarding alleged exploitation of Qadiyanis and termed it baseless.

He said Pakistani nation would safeguard the Islamic clauses and especially Muslim's faith on Khatm-e-Nabuwwat at every cost.

To a question, he told that Qadiyanis were a non-Muslim minority under Pakistani constitution and no power could abolish this Islamic clause regarding Khatm-e-Nabuwwat.

To another query, he replied that Muttahida Ulema Board Punjab launched a massive action against hatred religious publishing material and speeches besides recommending 50 books to seize. He added that no one would be allowed to spread hatred among the religious communities in the country.

He said Qadiyanis were non-Muslims under the law and they should stop propagating against Pakistan and introduce themselves according to their religion freely.

Religious scholars including Moulana Abdul Rehman Ludhiyanvi, Moulana Abdul Rauf Farooqi, Allama Zubair Abid, Ziaul Haq Naqashbandi, Arch Bishop Sabsten Sha, Father Ehsen, Sardar Sikandar Singh, Moulana Mubashir Raheemi, Moulana Zubair Zahid, Moulana Islamuddin, Abdul Hakim Athar, Usaeedur Rehman and other also were present on the occasion.