ISLAMABAD - Chief of his own faction of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Maulana Fazlur Rehman has warned against any attempt to push through the parliament what he called controversial anti-terror law.
Speaking to media persons, before National Assembly session here in Islamabad, Maulana said that his party would not vote for 21st constitutional amendment in the current scenario.
He said although his party agreed to support establishment of military courts as a “bitter move” but the government did not consult his party while drafting the amendment bill.
“Although we were not in support of this (military courts) in principle, we accepted them when the government and state institutions said that it was an extraordinary situation. But we were not taken into confidence when the draft for the constitutional amendment was prepared,” he said.
“We believe that strict measure should be taken to control terrorism in Pakistan. But if only religious institutions are targeted, then it becomes controversial,” said Fazl, who is the leader of the largest religious political party in Pakistan’s parliament.
He said that he explained his stance in the All Parties Conference (APC). The matter of giving constitutional protection to the Army Act was discussed in the meeting. He said that his party supported Nawaz government is hard times but it ignored us while making key anti-terror laws.
The JUI-F chief said that all religious institutions were backing the military in the fight against terrorism, but he stressed that the bill for the constitutional amendment should be debated over and not be “bulldozed” through the parliament.
“Are these terrorist only caught from seminaries? Are they not arrested from hostels of colleges and universities? Were these terrorist involved in attacks on Musharraf and GHQ from madrassahs?
“They say themselves that 90 per cent of madrassahs are not involved in terrorism...only 10pc are. But this bill appears to be an ‘anonymous FIR’ against 90 per cent of seminaries [in Pakistan],” he said.
Fazl said that his party was ready to debate over the bill in Parliament if needed, but stressed that they will not support the amendment in its current form at any cost.
Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq has said legislation should be carried out for peace and elimination of terrorism.
Addressing a ceremony here on Monday, he said every kind of terrorism is condemnable. He said branding any segment as terrorist is not wise. He said terrorists are terrorists no matter they come from a seminary or a regular institution. “I say arrest a doctor if he is a terrorist…arrest a person from a seminary if he is a terrorist…arrest anyone who is found to be linked to terrorists. But branding a certain segment as terrorist isn’t acceptable.”
Sirajul Haq said all the parties were united after the Peshawar tragedy and set aside differences.
He said religion should not be targeted in the war against terrorism.
The JI chief said India cannot keep its occupation of Kashmir for long.