PaighamPakistan: Pakistan National Counter terrorism narrative launched

PaighamPakistan: Pakistan National Counter terrorism narrative launched

ISLAMABAD - The government launched national narrative on extremism and terrorism at a ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad on Tuesday.

Titled 'Paigham-e-Pakistan', the document contains a Fatwa against militancy duly endorsed by religious scholars of all schools of thought.

Under the auspices of International Islamic University, the document has been prepared after consultations amongst different segments of the society, including religious scholars, parliamentarians, intellectuals and policy makers.

The narrative declares armed struggle against the country, its government or armed forces illegal. The document acknowledges that it is responsibility of the government to fully implement Islamic provisions of the constitution. However, taking up arms to achieve this purpose amounts to Fasaad fil Arz.

Quoting verses from holy Quran and Hadith, the document says suicide is unacceptable in Islam and a grave sin. Supporting such attacks has also been described as tantamount to supporting a collection of sins.

Addressing the ceremony, President Mamnoon Hussain expressed the confidence that the national narrative will help address the challenges of sectarianism, extremism and terrorism.

Addressing the ceremony, Minister for Interior Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan is fulfilling its commitments in the war on terror but it is also for the international community to fulfill its obligations by listening to the voices emanating from Myanmar, occupied Kashmir and Palestine.

In his remarks, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif expressed the confidence that the national narrative against militancy will prove to be a turning point for the country.