ISLAMABAD:
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday assured leading Shia scholars of the government’s full support amid widespread grief and anger over the US-Israeli attacks on Iran, saying every Pakistani was saddened and that national unity and restraint were essential at this critical moment.
During a meeting with prominent religious scholars, Naqvi said that every Pakistani was saddened by the attacks on Iran.
Referring to the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, he said: “The grief and anger of every Muslim over the martyrdom of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is justified”.
“I and the entire government stand with you,” and even offered, “I’m ready to join you in protest.”
The interior minister emphasized that Pakistan must remain united in the face of external challenges.
“We are all one. The enemy is conspiring to divide us,” he said. He stressed that every protest must be registered while keeping the national interests at the fore. “We must register our protest and at the same time keep national interests in mind.”
Naqvi praised the role of religious scholars in guiding the nation in difficult times. “Religious scholars have always guided the nation in difficult times.”
He urged protesters to exercise patience and discipline, adding: “Protesters should exercise patience and hold peaceful protests and in this regard religious scholars should guide them.”
The religious scholars assured the home minister of their full cooperation and described the situation as a great tragedy.
