'No space for forceful conversions, underage marriages in Islam'

Any representative neither visited Israel nor govt has any plan to make ties with Jewish state, says Tahir Ashrafi

Special Representative to the Prime Minister on Interfaith Harmony and Middle East Hafiz Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi has said that no one will be allowed to make panic in the country on the issues of forceful conversions and underage marriages.

Talking to visiting delegates and representatives of different religions and religious sects at his office on Wednesday, he said that there is "no space for forceful conversions and underage forceful marriages in Islam".

Maulana Ashrafi said that the issues of minorities will be addressed with formation of Interfaith Harmony Councils in the country.

While clearing the air, he said that any government representative has neither visited Israel nor the state has any intention to make relations with the Jewish country. "Some elements are fanning the baseless propaganda to malign Pakistan in the Islamic world and to make anarchy in the country."

Some enemies of Pakistan and Islam are fanning baseless propaganda in the country and Indian lobbies are behind it, he added.

The PM's aide said that the incumbent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government is protector of the Islamic sections of the constitution of Pakistan, Namoos-e-Risalat and belief in the finality of Prophethood.

He also added that the complaints received last month about the issues of minorities have been resolved.

Earlier, while addressing seminary students at Jamia Masajid Marhaba, Hafiz Ashrafi said that all sections of society including students of seminaries, schools and colleges are united with Pakistan Army to eliminate the menace of extremism and terrorism.

He said that the incumbent PTI government created history by associating registration of seminaries with the ministry of education.