BY: FT Correspondent:
ISLAMABAD– Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has stressed the need to strengthen unity and brotherhood among the nation and the Muslim Ummah by imparting the core teachings of the Seerah of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to younger generations.
Addressing the International Seerat (PBUH) Conference, the prime minister urged Ulema and religious scholars to play their role through mosques and pulpits by promoting the values of unity, tolerance, compassion and interfaith harmony.
He said the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was an embodiment of peace, affection, truthfulness, honesty, uprightness and forgiveness, and these principles should guide the character-building of the younger generation.
The prime minister recalled that during the Pakistan Movement, the entire nation stood united under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and the country was achieved through unity and discipline. He said these principles were also reflected in the Constitution of Pakistan.
Referring to the Gulf conflict and the armed conflict with India in May 2025, Prime Minister Shehbaz said the Pakistani nation demonstrated unity during both critical situations.
He appreciated the role of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir during the crises, saying he played a significant role in efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.
The prime minister also described the signing of the Makkah Agreement as a symbol of enduring brotherhood and unity among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. He said the leadership of Saudi Arabia and Türkiye stood firmly with Pakistan during the Pak-India conflict.
He reaffirmed that Pakistan’s bonds of friendship and brotherhood with the two brotherly countries would be further strengthened.
Prime Minister Shehbaz urged Ulema to discourage sectarianism and extremism by spreading the eternal message of peace and affection contained in the Seerah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
He said the Muslim Ummah needed to equip its younger generation with modern knowledge while connecting them with the Prophet’s (PBUH) message of peace to address contemporary intellectual, moral, social and digital challenges.
“Our future depends upon what sort of future generation we prepare,” the prime minister said, adding that the youth were a ray of hope for the country and preparing them for future challenges must remain a priority.
He termed the Seerah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) a beacon of guidance for the entire Ummah and cited the example of the Prophet’s conduct at Taif and the bonds of brotherhood established between the Muhajirs and Ansars of Madinah.
The prime minister also appreciated the role of Ulema, Mashaikh and religious leaders in shaping the thoughts and character of the nation and younger generations in accordance with the teachings of the Seerah.
Earlier, Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf said Seerah-e-Tayyaba (PBUH) provided real guidance to youth, particularly at a time when social media, meaningless content, intolerance, materialism and other negative trends were influencing them.
He called for greater unity and interfaith harmony and urged citizens to demonstrate loyalty and allegiance to the state, saying these qualities together could create formidable national strength and unity.
The minister also highlighted the need to promote the message of the Holy Prophet’s Seerah (PBUH) to help the younger generation overcome the intellectual, moral, social and digital challenges of the modern era.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also distributed awards among winners in various categories.
Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council and Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Religious Harmony Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, Chairman Council of Islamic Ideology Allama Muhammad Raghib Naeemi, Chairman Ruet-i-Hilal Committee Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad and other religious scholars also addressed the gathering.
