LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday presided over an extraordi-nary meeting of the Ittehad Bain-ul-Muslimeen Committee, reaffirming her government’s resolve to maintain peace and inter-sect harmony across the province.
The meeting, attended by prominent Ulema and Mashaikh from all schools of thought, saw Tanzeem-ul-Madaris Ahl-e-Sunnat Pakistan Chairman Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman par-ticipate as a special guest at the chief minister’s request.
Religious scholars expressed full support for the Punjab government’s stance and efforts to restore calm following recent unrest caused by a religious outfit.
During the meeting, it was decided that the management of sealed mosques would be handed over to Tanzeem-ul-Madaris Ahl-e-Sunnat Pakistan, while individuals proven in-nocent would be immediately released and returned home with dignity. The chief minister also directed that respect for religious symbols and sacred names on posters and ban-ners must be strictly ensured.
Also, Maryam Nawaz approved a Rs25,000 monthly stipend for 65,000 mosque imams across Punjab — an initiative first envisioned by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif — to reduce their dependence on public donations. She also allowed the Azaan (call to prayer) and Friday sermons to continue without restriction. Punjab Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique and the Secretary Law and Order were appointed focal persons for liaison with Ulema.
Officials briefed that reports regarding innocent detainees could be made through helpline 15, and confirmed that peace has largely been restored across the province.
Addressing the participants, Maryam Nawaz described the Ulema as the “conscience of the Muslim Ummah,” adding that those who guide society through the Quran and Sunnah are a source of pride. She stressed that true love for the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is ex-pressed through mercy and peace, not violence.
“True lovers of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) shed tears when they hear His blessed name, not blood,” she remarked.
The chief minister questioned why the state was compelled to act, stating that while many among religious groups are pious, those who damaged property, attacked security forces, and took innocent lives cannot be justified. She condemned the use of mosques for politi-cal or violent purposes, emphasizing that the Prophet (PBUH) taught compassion, not de-struction.
Referring to recent violent incidents, Maryam Nawaz said that modern weapons were re-covered from those planning attacks against the state. “Those who raise arms cease to be political or religious movements,” she said, adding that Islam teaches equality before the law and that using women as shields or hiding weapons in mosques is deeply con-demnable.
She also criticized the spread of misinformation on social media, including false claims of mass casualties, calling such propaganda an attempt to incite sedition and mislead the public. She lamented that those responsible caused loss of life and public property, includ-ing the burning of vehicles used for the ‘Suthra Punjab’ sanitation program, calling it a “loss of the people’s hard-earned money.”
Maryam Nawaz underscored that protecting diplomatic missions is the state’s foremost duty and denounced any attempt to attack them. She appealed to religious scholars to guide people toward peace, unity, and respect for law and order.
Prominent religious leaders, including Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman, Dr. Raghib Naeemi, Sa-hibzada Asad Ubaid, Dr. Muhammad Hussain Akbar, and Ziaullah Shah Bokhari, ex-pressed full confidence in the government’s policies. Mufti Muneeb stressed that there is no restriction on sermons or loudspeakers, but misuse must be dealt with firmly. The scholars also lauded the ‘Suthra Punjab’ cleanliness campaign and the Green Bus Ser-vice as commendable welfare initiatives of the provincial government.
The meeting concluded with prayers for peace, stability, and unity in the country.
