JUP stimulates govt against blasphemy
LAHORE: Jamiat Ulema Pakistan (JUP) has demanded from the government to lobby for making an international law to protect honour of the holy prophets.
During party’s central shoora meeting held under the leadership of central president Pir Ijaz Hashmi on Saturday, the meeting demanded from the Muslim nations across the globe to press the United Nations for making an international law to book the elements undertaking sacrilegious actions against the holy prophets.
They added that such laws existed in Pakistan but repeated incidents of blasphemy of Holy Prophet (PBUH) strongly demanded an international law in this regard.
The meeting also decided to hold 69th foundation day of the party on March 28 at Aiwan-i-Iqbal. The JUP leadership further decided for full participation in the Senate polls, besides extending the date for party’s membership drive up to May 31.
The meeting condemned the detentions of ulema in the name of Loud Speaker Act’s violation and said that no force could stop the Ahle Sunnat from reciting Durood and Salam.
Meanwhile, Namoos-i-Risalat Action Committee will hold a meeting today (Sunday) to discuss the Loud Speaker Act under which ulema have been detained.–Staff Reporter

NA-122 case adjourned till tomorrow
LAHORE: Election Tribunal has adjourned the hearing of alleged matter of rigging in NA-122 till Feb 23, as the judge was not available. However, the counsel of National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq drafted reply on Saturday to submit before the tribunal in response to the application moved by PTI Chief Imran Khan.
In previous hearing, tribunal judge Kazim Ali Malik adjourned the hearing till 21 when Khan filed a new application to get the voters’ thumb impression verified through Nadra.–Staff Reporter

‘Corruption, injustice need urgent action’
LAHORE: The cancer of corruption and injustice in Pakistani society needs an immediate surgical operation for eradicating the same to pursue the goals of a true welfare society, remarked former Punjab governor and PTI leader Chaudhary Sarwar on Saturday.
Addressing a party meeting on Saturday, Sarwar said that the cancer of corruption and injustice needed immediate surgery for the eradication of these serious ills to put the country on the road to a real welfare state.
“It is high time that we should take concrete and real measures to root out corruption and injustice from society, as due to these evils I could not do anything for the people during my 17 months in the office of Governor Punjab,” he added.
He remarked that few families had the monopoly over the resources of the country, which must be ended in order to ensure the true principles of democracy.–Staff Reporter
Sarwar said that it was his strong belief that youth of the country was the only ray of hope, which fortunately was standing behind Imran Khan to transform Pakistan into a real welfare state.

Siraj leaves for Saudi Arabia
LAHORE: Jamaat-i-Islami chief Sirajul Haq, left for Saudi Arabia on Saturday to participate in the four-day Rabita al Alam-i-Islami conference, scheduled to begin at Holy Makkah on Sunday. He is accompanied by chief of the JI Azad Kashmir Abdur Rashid Turabi, and JI foreign wing chief Abdul Ghaffar Aziz.
Sirajul Haq will address the Rabita moot. He will also perform Umrah along with his wife during his week-long stay.  
Meanwhile, JI Secretary General Liaqat Baloch took oath as acting ami during the absence abroad of Sirajul Haq.–Staff Reporter