Pakistan Government Enlists Hafiz Saeed’s Ally to Combat Terrorism

The Pakistani government has entrusted a close associate of Hafiz Saeed with the responsibility of managing terrorist activities within the country. A committee composed of religious scholars has been established to control terrorists and promote peace, as stated by the Minister of Information and Broadcasting. Tahir Ashrafi, a known associate of Hafiz Saeed, has been selected to coordinate this committee. Ashrafi’s association with Saeed is well-documented, including instances of sharing platforms and appearing together at the Lahore High Court in 2018. Their relationship contributed to the departure of the Palestinian ambassador from Islamabad in the same year. Tahir Ashrafi, a respected Islamic scholar residing in Punjab province, holds a degree in Islamic studies and maintains an active presence on social media. He previously served as an advisor on religious affairs under the Imran Khan administration in 2020. Additionally, he is considered an expert on Middle Eastern affairs and possesses considerable influence in Pakistani politics. Educated at Punjab University, Ashrafi also worked as a journalist before commencing his PhD. In response to the escalating terrorist incidents, the Shehbaz Sharif government has decided to form a peace committee, which includes religious figures such as Haji Abdul Karim, Abdul Rahman, Arif Hussain Wahidi, Naqib ur Rehman, and Hussain Naeemi, with Tahir Ashrafi as the coordinator. Representatives from the Hindu and Christian communities, Rajesh Hardasani and Bishop Azad Marshall, are also part of this committee, which will primarily focus on negotiating with terrorists and fostering stability in Pakistan.