PM seeks ulema’s role in protecting youth from hatred, propaganda

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged religious scholars, especially the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), to play a key role in protecting the youth from the onslaught of negative attitudes, false narratives, lies and propaganda.

Addressing a ceremony to mark the Golden Jubilee of the establishment of CII, the PM said religious scholars should come forward to help transform Pakistan into a truly Islamic welfare state, as envisioned by its founding fathers. He said religious scholars should guide the nation in accordance with Quran and Sunnah. The PM said the attitudes of extremism, hatred and division are contrary to Islam’s teachings of unity and brotherhood.

Shehbaz Sharif appreciated the Council of Islamic Ideology for discharging its responsibilities in the most dedicated and honest manner. He especially highlighted its contributions to Islamic banking and promoting unity in the country. “The CII also has to its credit the successful Islamic banking system which is not a small achievement,” he said. He pointed out that many Muslim countries also promoted the Islamic banking system while non-Muslim countries were also working on the same system.

“As a state, society, and individuals, all must follow the path of Islam in order to achieve the true ideals behind the creation of Pakistan,” the PM said. “On the eve of golden jubilee celebrations of the CII, we need to make a pledge that we would move forward with collective wisdom and strategy to shine the name of Pakistan and the council could play its role while guiding us,” he said.

The prime minister also invited the Council of Islamic Ideology to play a role in this connection, and the government and nation would follow it to make Pakistan an Islamic welfare state. He also noted that Sarfraz Naeemi Shaheed, who was the father of Dr Raghib, spent his life in serving the cause of Islam. The Shaheed scholar also termed terrorism against Islam, he said.

In his remarks on the occasion, CII Chairman Allama Raghib Naeemi said the council played an important role in maintaining the ideological foundation and Islamic identity of the country. He said the CII was established in the light of 1973 Constitution and noted that the council had been endeavouring day and night for achieving the same objectives. “Islam and establishment of Islamic system was the sole objective for which Pakistan was created,” he said. He pointed out that constitutional experts and ulema felt that every clause of the Constitution should reflect the Islamic injunctions and teachings. He also highlighted steps taken by the council to deal with the issue of sectarianism. He said that a memorable postal ticket has also been issued to mark the golden jubilee of CII. Former chairman CII Dr Qibla Ayaz observed that the council was the true religious face of the state and mentioned that it also raised its voice against violence and armed movements. He said that as per clause 2 of the Constitution, the state religion of Pakistan is Islam and according to clause 227, no law could be promulgated which clashes with Holy Quran and Sunnah.

APP adds: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday said Huawei’s Information and Communication Technology training programme for Pakistani youth would help boost the country’s IT exports and create employment opportunities.

The PM, in a meeting with a five-member delegation, led by Huawei’s Chief Executive Officer Ethen Sun, said that skill training of the country’s youth in the IT sector was among the government’s priorities. He said the government desired a solid and long-term partnership with Huawei. During the briefing on Huawei’s ICT training to Pakistani youth, it was told that out of the 300,000 youth, 240,000 would receive basic training, while the remaining 60,000 would receive high-tech training.

It was told that training for all 300,000 youth would be completed by the year-end. Besides, the third-party validation of the training programmes would be conducted.

The participants in the meeting were told that Huawei, in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, had introduced courses in Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Big Data, and Cybersecurity at 15 Pakistani universities.