A multi-party conference held in Islamabad has released a ten-point declaration expressing unified support for the ongoing Operation Banyan Al-Marsous against India. The conference, organized under the leadership of Pakistan Rah-e-Haq Party Chairman Hakim Muhammad Ibrahim Qasmi, brought together leaders from various political and religious parties to discuss key national, legal, and religious issues.
The declaration firmly rejected the Islamabad High Court’s decision to form a commission on blasphemy cases, opting instead to establish a coordination committee comprised of legal experts and religious scholars from participating parties. This committee will assist families who believe their relatives are wrongly accused in blasphemy cases, directing them to reach out for support and guidance.
Participants voiced concerns over the misuse of blasphemy laws, cautioning against attempts to target these laws under the guise of judicial proceedings. They also criticized social media platforms, asserting that foreign entities are fueling religious disrespect online and called for all social media companies to relocate their offices to Pakistan to ensure local oversight.
The declaration stressed the importance of delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza and urged both government and citizens to mobilize resources. It also called for the passing and signing of legislation to protect the honor of the Prophet’s companions and family—a bill which has already secured approval in the Senate and National Assembly, pending the President’s signature.
Economic challenges were addressed, with a demand for the government to reduce taxes on citizens and curtail its own expenditures. The conference advocated for the formation of a political alliance to collectively confront major national issues like inflation and unemployment.
Speakers lamented Pakistan’s political and societal divisions along the lines of religion, sect, and region. They voiced concern over the weakening of the judiciary and frequent deviations from the constitution, reiterating that Pakistan’s founding objectives must not be neglected. They called on Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir to reassess the “Paigham-e-Pakistan” initiative in light of these concerns.
The conference expressed skepticism towards American intentions in Kashmir, warning that the US aimed to leverage regional conflicts for its strategic and commercial benefit. Participants noted the lack of diplomatic pressure from Western nations or the US on India regarding the Kashmir issue and questioned the impact of giving the US access to Pakistani resources at the potential cost of damaging relations with China.
The Islamabad High Court’s recent verdict on blasphemy was strongly condemned, and religious leaders declared there could be no compromise on safeguarding the finality of Prophethood. They emphasized national unity on this matter, asserting that safeguarding religious honor is paramount.
Other topics included firm opposition to the recognition of Israel, unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, and condemnation of domestic and international groups undermining Pakistan’s stability, especially in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The conference called for unity among patriotic forces to thwart internal discord and stressed that every citizen has both a duty and a debt to work towards the implementation of Islamic values in the country.
Finally, the conference resolved to form additional committees on the finality of Prophethood and urged all political and religious parties to agree on a “Charter of Pakistan” dedicated to protecting the constitution and ensuring national stability.
