Islamabad - Chairman Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan on Wednesday criticised Muslim leaders, West and religious scholars for failing to take action or stand against the blasphemous publication in a French magazine. Addressing a gathering of religious clerics ‘Ulema Mashaikh Conference’ here at a local hotel, Khan started his criticism by pointing finger at his rival Mualana Fazlur Rehman, Ameer JUI-F, and then lashed out at Muslim leaders, besides flaying Western democracies.
The PTI chief even blamed rulers of the Muslim world for the publication of blasphemous caricatures in French magazine, arguing that they (Muslim leaders) should have played a role and should have stood against the sacrilegious act. He said a small section of society was looting the whole country, adding that he had witnessed religious clerics being “sold off” against a price. “There is a Maulana (cleric) who conveniently fits right in with those who are looting the country,” Khan said in an apparent gesture to JUI-F chief Maulana Fazal Rehman.
After blaming his political rivals, Khan went on to lambaste the role of generals, lawyers, clerics and everyone, adding that the religious scholars were not playing their effective role in uniting the nation. He added that the clerics should have taken a stand against oppression long ago.
The PTI chief said that Islam is spreading rapidly in Europe and that the publication of blasphemous caricatures was done to provoke Muslims and alienate them from Western society.
Khan also called for reforms in religious seminaries but he again resorted to scathing criticism of the ongoing multi-billion Metro Bus Project of PML-N government, adding that money was wasted in unnecessary projects.
“Why money is not spent to reform syllabus of seminaries and why billions are wasted in bus projects?” asked Khan. The PTI leader ended his speech by once again trumpeting allegations of polls rigging, adding that 2013 elections were rigged and the people were deprived of their right to vote.