Islamabad: A fatwa signed by more than 1800 Islamic scholars from different schools of thought against the use of violence, including suicide bombings, for religious purposes was today issued by the Pakistan government.   

Titled as 'Paigham-e-Pakistan', the fatwa issued at a grand ceremony here was prepared under the supervision of Islamabad-based International Islamic University. Addressing the gathering, Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain said the launch of national narrative on counter-terrorism manifested that the whole nation was extremely serious on the issue.   

"I believe that this decree, prepared in the light of true teachings of Islam, will transform their hearts and pave the way for their salvation in the hereinafter," he said, referring to militants and Islamic radicals.   In a statement, the government said the fatwa was part of the national narrative on extremism and terrorism. It was endorsed by religious scholars, parliamentarians, intellectuals, and policymakers.   

The fatwa also declares armed struggle against the country, its government or armed forces "illegal".   It acknowledges that it is the responsibility of the government to fully implement Islamic provisions of the Constitution, but it rejects the use of force for it and says that taking up arms to achieve this purpose amounts to 'Fasaad-fil- Arz' or spreading willful violence on earth.   

Quoting verses from holy Quran and Hadith, the fatwa says suicide is unacceptable in Islam and a grave sin. Supporting such (suicide) attacks has also been described as tantamount to supporting a collection of sins.   President Hussain said the decree would not only promote a positive image of the Islamic teachings and Pakistani society in the world but would also help in overcoming the menace of extremism.   

Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan is fulfilling its commitments in the war on terror but it is also for the international community to fulfill its obligations by listening to the voices emanating from Myanmar, Kashmir, and Palestine.   

In his remarks, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif expressed the confidence that the national narrative against militancy will prove to be a turning point for the country. PTI