Govt to compile authentic Quran text, translation

Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah on Thursday said the federal government had decided to compile an authentic copy of the Holy Quran with respect to its Arabic text and translation in consultation with the provincial boards to prevent any kind of distortion.

He was addressing a news conference in the federal capital after co-chairing with Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Mufti Abdul Shakoor of the high-level committee to review the implementation of the Lahore High Court's (LHC) orders regarding the correct printing of the text and translation of the Holy Quran by the relevant federal and provincial departments.

The interior minister added that prints of this authentic copy of the Holy Quran would be further distributed at district and tehsil levels.

Sanaullah said the federal and all provincial governments would ensure that there should be authentic copies of the Holy Quran’s Arabic text as well as its translation.

He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had formed a committee for this purpose and there was a detailed verdict of the Lahore High Court on the matter.

The interior minister said some people on social media were misinterpreting the text of the Holy Quran for their own motives.

The minister continued that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) would monitor the texts being shared on the social media in consultation with his ministry.

On the occasion, Shakoor lauded the LHC's verdict for this purpose. “We are already active in protecting the Holy Quran as it is our religious duty,” he added.

In November last year, the LHC had sought implementation reports from federal and provincial governments on its orders for the printing of the Holy Quran.

PTI Chief

The interior minister has accused the PTI of twisting facts surrounding the assassination attempt on its chief Imran Khan in Wazirabad on November 3 last year.

Sana claimed that the former premier did not receive bullet injuries in the attack and also rubbished his claims that the three shooters were present at the scene.

Sana reiterated that only one alleged shooter Naveed was present at the scene who he said is a religious fanatic. He said the Punjab government could implicate other accused in the Wazirabad case.