Religious scholars from various schools of thought came together on Thursday to condemn the recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan, including the Jaffar Express hostage crisis and the targeting of the Darul Uloom Haqqania seminary.
Addressing a press conference at the Jamia Manzoor Islamia in Lahore, the scholars described the Jaffar Express incident as a 9/11-style attack, praising the security forces’ swift and effective response, which resulted in the safe release of all hostages and the elimination of the terrorists.
The scholars asserted that anti-state forces are attempting to destabilize Pakistan, but security agencies and the public will thwart these efforts. They expressed unwavering support for the Pakistani military and security forces.
A large number of prominent religious scholars were present at the event, including Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council; Muhammad Khan Leghari, leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan; Maulana Pir Asadullah Farooq, Maulana Pir Khalil Ibrahim, Maulana Aslam Siddiqui, Maulana Tahir al-Hassan, Hafiz Maqbool, Maulana Mubashir Rahimi, Qari Hakeem Athar, Qari Faisal Ameen, Qari Ibrahim Hanfi, Qari Sajid along with several others.
They emphasized that this conflict is not between Baloch and non-Baloch communities but rather a battle between external forces and Muslims seeking to sow discord within the country. They urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take steps to have the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) internationally designated as a terrorist organization.
Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council, stated that the Quran condemns the killing of even one person as the killing of all humanity. He emphasized that those responsible for the massacre of people during Ramadan are not worthy of being called human.
He reiterated that this is not a fight about Balochistan’s rights, Baloch versus non-Baloch, or even Islam itself, but a struggle between Muslims and those who oppose them. He lauded the Pakistan Army’s skill in rescuing the hostages from the Jaffar Express incident, comparing it to the scale of 9/11.
Ashrafi linked the Balochistan train attack and the attacks on seminaries to India, citing India’s celebratory response to the Balochistan incident and its alleged support for groups operating from Afghanistan. He questioned the targeting of Darul Uloom Haqqania, noting that neither the Soviet Union nor the United States ever dared to attack it.
He raised concerns about the lack of response to the violence against the seminary despite Pakistan’s past support for Afghanistan. He questioned Afghanistan’s commitment to peace in Pakistan, given the ongoing violence.
Ashrafi called for a strong response from the Pakistani state and condemned terrorism unequivocally, stating that no compromise will be made on Pakistan’s security. He warned against crossing lines on social media and other platforms, stating that legal action will be taken against those who do so.
Ashrafi also highlighted the plight of Palestinians, noting the lack of food even for breaking fast, and urged generous contributions to the Prime Minister’s fund for Gaza’s reconstruction. He also called for greater media attention to the suffering of Kashmiris and urged them to intensify their struggle for rights, assuring them of Pakistan’s unwavering support.
