Ulema delegation in G-B to promote harmony

A delegation of leading Ulema from across the country arrived in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) region on Monday to strengthen the concept of Islamic brotherhood and promote dialogue and understanding among the people belonging to various schools of thought.

G-B Home Minister Shams Lone said they had invited the leading scholars from other parts of the country to sit with the local Ulema, and stressed that peace in the region could only be maintained if the people respected each other’s beliefs.

The delegation comprised Maulana Tayyab Panjpiri, Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, Allama Ziaullah Shah Bukhari, Allama Shabbir Mesmi, Nasir Abbas Shirazi, Allama Hussain Akbar and Allama Iqbal Beheshti. The visit aimed at strengthening the Islamic brotherhood.

“Peace can only be maintained if we respect each other’s beliefs and faiths, which will ultimately help realise the dream of development in the region,” he added. “The state wants all the issues to be resolved through understanding and efforts in this regard are being made at all levels,” he added.

Flanked by Adviser to Chief Minister on Information Iman Shan, Lone told a press conference the peaceful atmosphere of the region had been disturbed to some extent due to the speeches of religious scholars of different sects.

The minister appealed to the people to play their positive role in the current situation and not to fall prey to the enemy’s propaganda.

He warned that the Indian media had made a sinister attempt to misrepresent the current situation in G-B. “We strongly condemn the India propaganda,” he added.

Meanwhile, more than ,4,000 students organised rallies in different districts to express their unwavering commitment to a peaceful G-B, refute misunderstandings about the situation in G-B and to emphasise the peaceful and free status of the region from sectarian tensions.

The students, representing Gilgit, Ghazar, Hunza and Nagar districts, started the rally with a peaceful walk from the Boys High School No 1 Gilgit to the Civil Secretariat. The rally culminated ended in presenting a resolution to the chief secretary's office.

In the resolution, the students emphasised that education was paramount, and they needed a peaceful environment to achieve it. The rally was also a clear message that the people of G-B were determined to achieve education, development and harmony.

Meanwhile, the situation in G-B remained peaceful on Monday, with commercial centres and bazaars operating normally. The information department also issued a statement highlighting the the influx of thousands of tourists, both domestic and international.

Regrettably, certain elements with divisive agendas are using social media to cast a negative light on the peaceful protests held by some religious groups.

They were employing fake news and propaganda to manipulate public opinion. During these peaceful demonstrations, there had been no incidents of gunfire or damage to either private or government property.

The region’s government has engaged the army and other security forces to ensure comprehensive safety measures along the routes of Majlis and processions during the observances of the Chehlum Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS).