Syed Saqib Ali Shah
The Paigham-e-Pakistan (PeP), “fatwa and joint declaration” is being considered as a holistic, progressive and historic step against the menace of terrorism and extremism, proclaiming as the second most important document after the constitution of Pakistan. Under PeP prominent religious scholars from all school of thoughts across Pakistan and heads of Wafaq-ul-Madaris had unanimously prepared an impressive document in light of the teachings of Quran and Sunnah that rejects terrorism, extremism, sectarianism, suicide bombings, hatred, and use of force to impose Shariah in the country. On January 16, 2018, this national narrative was formally launched at Aiwan-e-Sadar, Islamabad in a formal ceremony. The ceremony was attended by the President of Pakistan, political leadership, prominent religious scholars from all groups, people from academia, international community representatives and ambassadors of some friendly countries. PeP Fatwa was initially signed by 1829 clerics hailing from different school of thoughts whereas; now it has been endorsed by more than 6000 clerics from across Pakistan. The ground work on the PeP was done by International Islamic University (IIU), Islamabad that took over 8-10 months of progressive debate and seminars participated by wider community of the religious scholars. This national narrative would help in eradication of terrorism and prove instrumental in reforming the people who lost their path due to negative propaganda of aberrant elements.
There have been attempts earlier to forge a consensus to counter terrorism, extremism and religious violence. On November 2015, some 50 ulema affiliated with Tanzeem Ittehad-i-Ummat issued a decree against suicide bombings; on December 2009, Ittehad-e-Bain-ul-Muslimeen Committee and the Ulema Board unanimously passed a historic resolution terming suicide bombings as un-Islamic; similarly, many individual and collective deliberations were made against terrorism. However, the national narrative PeP, not only encapsulates a wider range of crimes committed in the name of faith but is also a far more comprehensive representation of the diverse strains of religious thought in Pakistan. To bring all shades of religious opinion together to commit to a unified stance against terrorism and extremism is a much-needed and symbolically significant first step. Religious differences have for too long been exploited by various groups to acquire influence over society and in the political arena. Violence stoked by bigotry and prejudice has pitted Muslim against Muslim and sect against sect. whereas, PeP document is vitally important in this context proving the panacea to our society’s ills that can finally establish peace.
In continuation of PeP launching ceremony held at the President House Islamabad; governor house Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has also launched the national narrative whereas, it should be launched at governor house Baluchistan, Punjab including AJK and GB on the same lines with same spirit at earliest. PeP received warm welcome at governor house Sindh where Governor Sindh Muhammad Zubair and Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah launched and endorsed the national narrative on 20th March 2018 and called for its propagation. The ceremony was attended by prominent top brass civil-military bureaucracy, politicians, Ulema, civil society, academia and the business community from Sindh. Governor said Islam preaches peace, harmony and the respect for humanity. Reasoning and debate is the right way to convince others as enforcement of beliefs on others through force or coercion has very serious consequences and it spreads intolerance in the society. It is heartening to note that all the stakeholders, including religious scholars from all schools of thought are on the same page. The narrative is meant for a peaceful Pakistan strengthening Pakistani nation by better synching the governments at the centre and provincial levels against terrorism and extremism. Lack of tolerance causes disorder in the society leading towards extremism and terrorism whereas; PeP will be our shelter against terrorism and extremism. The nation had become extremely serious on the issue and would be successful in achieving its objectives through unity.
Governor house KP hosted the second provincial launching ceremony of PeP on 18 April 2018 where prominent Ulema from KP, heads of Wafaq-ul-Madaris, top brass civil-military bureaucracy, politicians, Maliks, academia, civil society and the business community were present. Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra fully endorsed PeP and lauded the military operations and sacrifices of law enforcement agencies and the people of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) in restoration of peace. Moreover, he hoped that PeP would serve as a source of inspiration at a time when, as a nation, we are in the reconstruction phase. PeP message will provide a base for wiping out extremism, terrorism, sectarianism and linguistic oriented prejudices. The struggle against intellectual dishonesty could be successful if the PeP is followed in letter and spirit, particularly in KP. Unity in thoughts makes the unity in actions possible and in this connection the PeP can play an important role. To counter negative thinking, promotion of constructive thinking in shape of national message i.e. PeP based on Islamic teachings and correct ground realities is also the need of the time. However, it needs to be communicated everywhere and the representative figures of all segments of the society.
During different events numerous internationally renowned religious scholars belonging to all sects has also admired and endorsed PeP. Endorsement of PeP Fatwa by Imam-e-Kaaba Dr Saleh Bin Mohammad Al Talib is seen as boosting the chances of Pakistan building its narrative against the present fiasco. He strongly condemned terrorism, sectarianism and extremism and praised Pakistan’s efforts in countering the menace. He considered PeP fatwa ‘the need of the hour’ and hoped that it would play an important role in portraying a soft and positive image of Pakistan, in particular, and the Muslim world, in general, across the globe. Terrorism and extremism cannot be tolerated anymore and they should not be linked to Islam. It is the responsibility of Islamic scholars to stand against this evil. Imam admired Pakistan’s role for maintaining peace in the region and commitment to eradicate terrorism and extremism from the country and beyond. He hailed Pakistan for its role in the services of Muslim world and said that Pakistan is an atomic power and Muslim world is proud of this country. Similarly, the endorsement of PeP Fatwa by Egypt’s grand mufti Shawki Ibrahim Abdel-Karim Allam is also a major achievement for Pakistan. Egypt’s grand mufti said, “Pakistan is making all-out efforts in countering hate speech and content inflaming religious sentiments”. He also said, “Egypt fully endorses and supports PeP.” Speedily covering its journey over globe, PeP also got endorsed by Grand Mufti of Tailand H.E Mr. Aziz Phitakkumpon Chularajmantri.
National narrative PeP is a key to success in the way forward against terrorism and we would be able to inform world that Pakistan is a stable country that runs as per its constitution. Embassies of Pakistan should also play their role in PeP dissemination abroad. This move will portray a ‘soft and positive image of Pakistan’ and highlight Islam as a religion of peace, brotherhood, tolerance and accommodation. The armed forces and intelligence agencies had taken concrete steps in eliminating safe heavens of terrorists across the country but work still needs to be done on the ideological front. It is imperative that religious scholars, intellectuals and all institutions of the state must be vigilant and apart from individual efforts, should collectively work with mutual consensus to safeguard the nation against divisiveness. PeP national narrative is the voice of masses. The PeP, if properly implemented, has the potential to improve the present and set the future.
PeP is a positive message that bravely broaches the misuse of Islamic injunctions and condemns terrorism, extremism and sectarian violence; it not only encapsulates a nuanced range of crimes committed in the name of faith but is also a far more inclusive representation of the diverse strains of religious thought in the country. PeP needs validation by ratification in the parliament to acquire judicial approval formulating it as proper law and ensures its implementation. However, the responsibility to enforce the PeP is laid on three entities: the academic/religious institutions, the government institutions, and the mosques. Where the religious schools unanimously give the fatwa unequivocal legitimacy; the government that has yet to take the helm of the initiative, should be fully committed and mobilized in terms of engaging the media and civil society; as well as disseminating the PeP fatwa through all resources in all government departments. In fact PeP will remain a declaration of intent alone unless followed by substantive steps.
