LAHORE: Ulema from all religious schools of thought declared killers of innocent people in Quetta as terrorists and urged the government to take action against such elements at all levels.

Addressing a joint press conference here on Sunday, ulema, mashaykh and religious scholars said ‘khawarij’ and the BLA [Balochistan Liberation Army] terrorists wanted to cause instability in Pakistan, and they were working on an agenda to create Iraq- and Syria-like situation in Pakistan. However, they expressed their belief that terrorists and khawarij would never succeed in their nefarious designs and conspiracies. They said terrorist activities inside Pakistan had their roots in Afghanistan and the Afghan government should act like a good neighbour and a nice brotherly Islamic country.

The ulema said terrorists and their facilitators would be wiped out from Pakistan and success would be made as achieved back in 2000 against terrorists in the country. They said that elements, who were shedding blood in Parachinar would get nothing, adding that people of Parachinar should live with harmony and brotherhood with mutual respect and honour for each other.

The joint press conference was attended by representatives of all religious schools of thought including Hafiz Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council, Maulana Asadullh Farooq, Maulana Aslam Siddiqui, Qari Abdul Hakeem Athar, Qari Islamuddin, Qari Abdul Jabbar Qari Ihtshamul Haq, Qari Haq Nawaz and other notable ulema mashaykh.

Ulema announced that Pakistan was neither weak nor scared of anyone. It has a strong army and it could fight for defence of the country.