ISLAMABAD - Prominent ulema from Deoband school of thought have urged the government and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to declare ceasefire in the name of Allah Almighty and his messenger (PBUH).
In a joint statement issued here after a crucial meeting, held with Maulana Salimullah Khan in the chair on Monday, the ulema called upon both the parties to halt the armed action until the outcome of peace negotiations. The ulema said the country was in a state of civil war and some elements wanted to close the doors of peace. They expressed satisfaction over the decision of the government, military and Taliban about ending the civil war through dialogue. They also said bloodshed was no solution to any problem. The meeting was attended among others by Mufti Rafi Usmani, Maulana Mufti Taqi Usmani, Dr Abdur Razzaq Sikandar, Maulana Fazl Muhammad, Qari Hanif Jalandhari, Syed Adnan Kakakhel, Maulana Muhammad Hasan, Maulana Mukhtaruddin and Maulana Abdul Baba Shah Mansoor.