Spiritual head of Ajmer Sharif boycotts Pakistani Prime Minister Ashraf

09 March, 2013

Calling Pakistan an un-Islamic nation, the Dewan of Ajmer Sharif Dargah has decided to boycott Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Parvez Ashraf during his visit to the holy shrine. The Ajmer Bar Association and right wing groups have decided to show black flags to Ashraf in protest against the alleged recent brutal killing of two Indian soldiers.

Ashraf will be arriving at Jaipur at around 11 am today, March 9, with his family and entourage. External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid will receive him and join the visitors for lunch before they fly to Ajmer in a chopper, it is learned.

In a statement issued by the Dewan of the shrine, Zainul Abedin Ali Khan said that as per tradition, he used to welcome the dignitaries whenever they visited the shrine and gave my blessings, but this time, he would not do that. "I would rather announce the boycott of the Pakistani prime minister over the inhuman manner in which Indian soldiers were treated by the Pakistan Army. It is the most despicable act and needs to be condemned in the strongest of words," read his statement.

Calling beheading of Indian soldier an act against the basic tenets of Islam, Khan observed that Pakistan had been promoting hatred and terrorism against people in India. He urged the Pakistani prime minister to understand the significance of the boycott.

However, Khan said though he could not stop anyone from visiting the Dargah, but he would not welcome and bless the Pakistani prime minister.