Ulema should help state in fighting extremism: PM

LAHORE: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called on Ulema to help the government remove extremist interpretations of Islam and promote peace.

Addressing a seminar at Jamia Naeemia on Saturday, the prime minister stressed that Ulema should play an effective role in promoting unity among society and dispel the false propaganda against the real teachings of Islam.

“Blood is being shed in the country in the name of religion, you can solve this problem,” he addressed the religious scholars present in the audience.

The prime minister said the PML-N government and Ulema would collectively foil all attempts, aimed at creating fissures in the society and with their joint efforts, strengthen peace in the country.  "We have fought the greatest war against terrorism in the world," he said, adding the hands of terrorists were broken.

According to the prime minister, some people had hijacked religion for their ulterior motives, adding that Jamia Naeemia is an institution where students from all schools of thought come to study.

The Prime Minister said that Ulema should reject arguments that terrorists propagate. Speaking of the recent terrorist attacks in the country, the prime minister emphasised that these were facilitated by certain elements and the state would bring them to justice. “In these efforts, the role of Ulema was crucial.”