ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: A strict law will be enacted to curb terrorism in the country, Interior Minister A Rehman Malik told the Ulema from different schools of thought in an exclusive meeting on Sunday. The meeting was called by the minister.
The Ulema vowed to join hands with the government for foiling terrorist attempts, promoting sectarian harmony and making efforts for curbing display of arms at public places.They also decided to observe a special day against terrorism to show solidarity among their ranks.
In a joint press briefing after the meeting, Rehman Malik said a successful operation in the Malakand division, and a continuing offensive in South Waziristan had frustrated the terrorists, who were desperately trying to undermine peace in the country.
He said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Quaid Nawaz Sharif had proposed a ‘Control Strategy’ to eliminate terrorism, adding that he welcomed it. “We will work with the Punjab government to get rid of hatred and extremism and continue the fight till restoration of complete peace,” he added.
The minister also urged the media to boycott those religious segments that supported extremism and promoted hatred in the society. “It will give a clear-cut message to the anti-state elements,” he added.
Malik also referred to a meeting summoned by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani today (on Monday), to discuss a strategy with all stakeholders, including politicians, intelligence chiefs and top officials of security forces for capacity building and controlling the menace of terrorism in the country.
The Ulema demanded stern action against the banned outfits involved in religious terrorism. “The nation should boycott those who are igniting sectarianism,” Malik urged. “We want to give books in the hands of the new generation instead of suicide jackets,” the minister said.
At the end of the briefing, Ulema read out resolutions passed during the meeting and reiterated the Fatwa, earlier made through consensus of 43 Ulema. The Fatwa declared suicide attacks an anti-Islamic act. “Whosoever kills a Muslim has nothing to do with the religion and Islam,” they remarked unanimously.
Maulana Abu Bakar Sadiq, Maulana Muhammad Asad Thanwi, Maulana Abdul Jaleel Naqvi, Mufti Muhammad Usman, Nazir Farooqi, Zahoor Alvi, Maulana Mahmoodul Hassan, Maulana Bashir Ahmad, Asad Alam Naqvi, Maulana Naeem Shehzada, Maulana Aneesul Hasnain, Qazi Muhammad Zahoor, Hafiz Ishaq Zafar, Farhat Hussain Shah, Maulana Akhtar Abbas, Syed Izhar Bukhari and other representatives of different schools of thought participated in the meeting. -Agencies
Our correspondent adds: Minhajul Quran Chairman Dr Tahirul Qadri said on Sunday that those protecting the terrorists were present in parliament and the media should hold them accountable. He said parliament had completely failed and it was responsible for the mess the country was facing while the media was setting the agenda which was, otherwise, the role of parliament.
He was delivering a telephonic address during the concluding session of Majlis-e-Shura of Minhajul Quran International here on Sunday.
Tahirul Qadri demanded the establishment of a commission against terrorism under the leadership of the chief justice and urged the media to raise its voice against the system, which was protecting corruption. He regretted that there was no shortage of so-called religious scholars who justified the actions of terrorists. He said it was also the responsibility of the media to expose the supporters, financers and sympathisers of terrorists and extremists.
Qadri said parliament should meet for 14 days to legislate on terrorism for its elimination. He said it was common knowledge who were backers and intellectual suppliers of terrorism. He demanded that the source of support and supply of arms and ammunition to terrorists should be unearthed. He also inquired about the outcome of the investigation into scores of incidents of terrorism, saying that the invisible hands should be exposed.
Dr Qadri criticised the role of parliamentarians, saying that MNAs and MPAs knew everything about terrorists in their constituencies but were maintaining a criminal silence. He blasted the inaction of parliament and said that the country was being turned into Somalia, Ethiopia and Afghanistan, adding that the politicians had neglected the national interest for their petty interests. He said the monster of terrorism had destroyed the country and places such as markets, bazaars and shrines were not safe from terrorists.
He said corruption of politicians paved the way for military takeover. He said General (retd) Musharraf compromised the national honour, security and interests and turned the country into a colony.
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