ISLAMABAD: Possibly for the first time in recent history, clerics belonging to all four mainstream schools of thought in the country, and representing several madressah boards, collectively visited both the victims and the site of a terrorist attack on a mosque.
Members of the National Paigham-i-Aman Committee, led by its coordinator Allama Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi, along with clerics and scholars from the Shia, Barelvi, Deobandi and Ahle Hadith schools of thought, visited the victims of the Tarlai suicide bomb blast at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims).
Later, the group visited Imambargah Qasr-i-Khadijatul Kubra to express solidarity with the victims and the community that faced the terrorist attack during Friday prayers.
Addressing a news conference, Hafiz Ashrafi emphasised the importance of patience and unity in difficult times.
In rare display of unity, clerics slam attack; warn against terrorism dividing country
“We, the clerics belonging to all the mainstream schools of thought in the country, are here, and this is neither a political discussion nor a numbers game,” he said, adding that scholars from all sects were visibly emotional upon meeting the victims, reflecting the gravity of the tragedy.
“The nation stands united and cannot be divided by acts of terrorism. The enemies of the country want to see us divided,” Hafiz Ashrafi said, adding that the ulema wanted to convey a single message that this was neither a sectarian conflict nor a religious issue.
“These are attempts to spread fear and panic among Pakistanis, but the entire nation responded with unity, and citizens came forward to help one another.”
Clerics call for unity
The committee members stressed the importance of national harmony and urged all segments of society to work together to promote peace and stability, and not to fall into the trap of those seeking to create divisions along ethnic or religious lines.
Allama Hadiul Hussaini, who belongs to Gilgit-Baltistan, said it was the first time such a collective effort had been made, with clerics from all four mainstream sects showing unity by visiting terrorism victims together.
Allama Sajjad Naqvi said Pakistan came into existence through the unity of Muslims of the Subcontinent, adding that anti-state elements were trying to create divisions within the nation through acts of terror. He said terrorists would ultimately fail in their objectives, stressing that Sunni and Shia communities were united.
Those present on the occasion included Allama Zahid Hussain, Allama Mushtaq Naqvi, Maulana Faheem Thanvi, Mufti Mir Ishtiaq, Maulana Zahid Mansoor, Mufti Qasim Qasmi, Maulana Zulfiqar Ali, Mufti Hafeez ur Rehman, Maulana Saeed Chishti, Maulana Abu Bakar Sabri, Mufti Hafiz Iqbal, and Maulana Anis ur Rehman.
Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2026
