The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) unveiled a comprehensive “code of conduct” on Saturday in ISLAMABAD, marking a significant step in bolstering the values and principles that are the core of Pakistan’s identity.
Chairman Dr. Qibla Ayaz, speaking at a press conference following a consultative meeting with prominent religious scholars and leaders, said that the code’s emphasis on upholding the Constitution, respecting the dignity of fundamental rights, and remaining loyal to the state under all circumstances was intended to maintain peace and tranquility, particularly during the month of Muharramul Haram across the country.
He explained that under the new law, all citizens must show unquestioning loyalty to the state by respecting and upholding its constitutional authority.
He emphasized that the Constitutional guarantees of human dignity and due process were key to the code’s provisions. He went on to say that this also covered the freedoms of speech, thought, religion, and assembly.
To maintain the spirit of Shariah, the code strictly forbade any use of force in the name of Islam, armed actions against the state, violence, and incitement. Dr. Qibla said that this would ensure the preservation of Pakistan’s Constitution and laws, which are based on Islamic principles.
Furthermore, he stated that no one has the authority to label any other person, including members of the government, the military, or security agencies, as infidels.
He pleaded with the academics and citizens to back the state and its institutions, especially those in charge of law and order, in their efforts to eliminate violence.
The state will take serious action against organisations that promote linguistic, regional, religious, or sectarian biases, he said, therefore it is important that individuals abide by the code’s mandate to avoid associating with them.
And as Dr. Qibla pointed out, “the code highlighted the importance of avoiding the imposition of personal views or ideologies on others, as it contradicts the spirit of Shariah and can lead to corruption.”
Specifically addressing the educational sector, he stated, “Both private and government institutions, as well as religious educational establishments, must refrain from promoting militancy, extremism, and hatred alarming that those found involved in such activities would face legal consequences based on evidence and witnesses.”
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He declared unequivocally that people of any ideology or affiliation who promote extremism and violence would face severe administrative and penal penalties.
He did, however, point out that the code forbade inciting hatred or making unsubstantiated charges against individuals, institutions, or groups, even though all Islamic schools of thought have the right to express their views and ideologies.
“No person or group has the authority to say indecent words about the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him), other prophets, the wives of the Prophet, the Ahl-e-Bayt, the Rightly Guided Caliphs, or the companions,” the chairman said, emphasizing the code’s emphasis on the sanctity of religious figures.
While he acknowledged that the courts would have final say in blasphemy cases, he clarified that they would not be involved in the process.
According to Dr. Qibla, “the code ensured that no individual shall declare another Muslim as a non-believer, adding that only qualified religious scholars could discuss Islamic principles based on religious doctrines, and decisions on apostasy would be determined by the courts in accordance with the Constitution.”
He took a firm position against terrorism, saying that the code barred anyone from aiding or abetting terrorist acts, as well as from providing any kind of instruction to would-be terrorists.
According to him, the code provided safe spaces for scholars to explore theoretical and doctrinal concerns in Islamic law inside academic contexts.
In addition, he emphasized the need of all Muslim citizens and public servants carrying out their responsibilities in conformity with Islamic principles and the Constitution.
The chairman promised that all Muslims would be made aware of the Islamic principles that safeguard the rights of women, children, transgender people, and the elderly.
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According to Dr. Qibla, the code also protects the rights of non-Muslim individuals to observe their faith and perform religious ceremonies in accordance with their own convictions.
Protecting women’s rights, he stated that the law forbade anybody from denying women the ability to vote, education, or employment, or from damaging educational institutions that served women.
Killings committed in the name of honour, marriages entered into under duress or coercion, and the denial of voting rights were all prohibited, he insisted.
In order to maintain harmony, he explained, the code forbade anybody from delivering hateful statements in mosques, on pulpits, or at gatherings, and it also forbade media outlets from airing debates on religious or political topics.
He stressed the importance of using free speech with caution to avoid fomenting religious intolerance and preserve the Islamic character of the country.
According to him, the purpose of this all-encompassing code of conduct was to establish a society that preserves ethical ideals in the light of Paigham-e-Pakistan and to promote unity, tolerance, and peace among its members.
According to the CII’s chairman, everyone in the country is encouraged to adopt the code of conduct and help reinforce the values and concepts that form the basis of the country’s sense of unity and harmony.
Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council and the prime minister’s special representative on interfaith harmony and the middle east, also reported that the CII had strongly condemned the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden.
He said the council had emphasized the importance of international legislation to prevent future episodes of religious intolerance on this scale.
