Ashura clashes in Rawalpindi: PST demands action against perpetrators

The Pakistan Sunni Tehrik(PST) has demanded exemplary action against perpetrators of sectarian clashes on 10th of Muharram-ul-Haram bringing death and destruction in Rawalpindi on Friday. In a statement, 50 religious scholars, Ulema and Mushaikh belong to Brelvi PST Ulema Board on Sunday described the clashes, arson and killings as a plot against the country.
"Terrorists of the banned religious outfits are causing sectarian deaths, carnage and anarchy to harm the religious harmony and peace in the country", they added.
They clarified that there is no Shia-Sunni enmity or conflict, however some banned parties are misusing the name of Ahl-e-Sunnat to defame the patriotic, tolerant and large hearted religious people of Pakistan.
They claimed that some countries are providing finances and other means to these terrorist and extremist parties to fight their war in Pakistan. It is responsibility of the government to expose these countries, groups and individuals who were behind these despicable incidents in Pakistan.
They pointed out that some religious seminaries are teaching certain books and material to spread hatred, intolerance, biases and narrow mindlessness in the society. The law enforcing agencies should take immediate and strict action against these seminaries and preachers of religious discord to bring about permanent religious harmony and peace in the country. They regretted that the government had failed to crush those elements that incite our youth to terrorism, linguistic and parochial differences and sectarianism under the garb of Jihad. The government has also failed to establish its writ in some of the country's parts.
The statement was signed by Mufti Ghufran Mahmood Sialvi, Mufti Liaquat Ali Rizvi, Allama Mujahid Abdur Rasul Khan, Mufti Mohammad Arif Chishti, Allama Abdul Latif Hazarvi, Allama Bashir Ahmad Naqshbandi, Allama Syed Irfan Shah Mujaddi, Mufti Asif Saeed Qadri, Allama Abdul Hafeez Rizvi, Allama Mohammad Hashim Mujaddi, Mufti Mohammad Hasib Attar and others belonging to PST Ulema Board.