The government has announced a comprehensive crackdown targeting individuals who use social media to spread sectarian hatred during the sacred month of Muharram. This decision emerged from a high-level meeting of the “Paigham-e-Aman Committee” held in Islamabad on Tuesday, co-chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry.
The meeting convened senior security officials, including the interior secretary, Islamabad police inspector general, and the chief commissioner, alongside religious leaders from Islamic, Christian, Hindu, and Sikh communities. Emphasizing collective responsibility, Naqvi stated that peace committees would be activated at the grassroots district level to uphold sectarian harmony throughout Muharram.
He underscored that Islam leaves no space for rebellion or disorder against the state, stressing the urgent need to raise public awareness against terrorism and extremism based on Quranic teachings and Hadith.
In a significant development, Naqvi revealed details about Pakistan’s pivotal role in facilitating the recent diplomatic breakthrough between Iran and the United States. He praised Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his instrumental role on the ground, describing the agreement as a successful example of civilian-military cooperation under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s political leadership.
Naqvi highlighted that while many countries had previously attempted to mediate between Washington and Tehran without success, Pakistan’s breakthrough was largely due to General Munir’s direct and uncompromising diplomatic approach. The Field Marshal’s candidness and willingness to address mistakes on both sides helped build mutual trust among the parties involved.
Recalling a critical moment during the secret negotiations, Naqvi described how the regional ceasefire was on the brink of collapse with only hours remaining. At this juncture, Field Marshal Munir confronted the Iranian negotiators, warning them that on the Day of Judgment, they would be accountable if war erupted, emphasizing his sincere efforts to preserve human life. This intervention reportedly broke the deadlock and advanced the talks.
Naqvi also noted that during the tense negotiations, both the US and Iran came dangerously close to military conflict multiple times, but timely management and what he called “divine intervention” prevented escalation. He further reflected on Pakistan’s historical military tensions with India, attributing the country’s survival to repeated divine assistance.
The religious scholars present, representing diverse Islamic sects and minority faiths, unanimously passed a resolution commending the prime minister, Field Marshal Munir, and the interior minister for their roles in securing the US-Iran peace agreement. Minister of State Talal Chaudhry expressed appreciation for the religious leaders’ support of state policy and emphasized the importance of maintaining a permanent institutional link between the interior ministry and the clergy to ensure domestic stability.
The meeting concluded with collective prayers for the nation’s security and sovereignty, reinforcing a unified commitment to peace and harmony during Muharram and beyond.
