Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council, Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, has said that no individual, faction, or group has the authority to declare jihad, adding that “whoever desires jihad should join the army.”
Speaking at an event in Lahore, Ashrafi emphasized the need for religious tolerance and urged people to change their attitudes accordingly. He reminded the audience that Islam also places strong emphasis on the protection of the lives and property of non-Muslims.
Highlighting Pakistan’s strategic position, he said that Allah has granted Pakistan superiority over India, a country many times larger in size. He also termed the defense agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia as highly significant, adding that protecting the holy sites in Makkah and Madinah is a matter of great honor for Pakistan.
Ashrafi pointed out that the very concept of jihad has been distorted in today’s world. He reiterated that no group or individual has the authority to announce it, stressing once again that anyone with such ambitions should do so through the armed forces.
The PUC chairman further stated that minorities in Pakistan enjoy equal rights and no one has the right to harass or intimidate them. He added that no individual can be allowed to take the law into their own hands, and the country must move forward by giving practical shape to the “Paigham-e-Pakistan” initiative, which calls for unity, tolerance, and harmony.