The leader of his own chapter of Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Saturday said that country’s religious scholars are against militancy but their efforts were not acknowledged as the international community is not ready to reconcile with the religious world.
Answering a question about PM Nawaz Sharif’s comments about religious scholars’ ‘failure to provide a counter-terror narrative’ in an ARY News show, the influential politician claimed that Wifaqul Madaris (the central board of Deoband religious seminaries) scholars invited religious scholars from across the country in Lahore and declared such acts un-Islamic but such acts were not highlighted.
“The fault is not with the PM, the international community is not ready to reconcile with the religious world and wants to achieve its objectives by targeting it (the religious right), so our efforts were neither highlighted nor our narrative was given importance and the PM too is influenced by the same (international intolerance towards the religious right), said Fazlur Rehman.
He, however, clarified that he had a very positive interaction with PM Nawaz on the role of religious seminaries.
‘IT WILL BE AN HONOUR’
The JUI-F chief termed former COAS General Raheel Sharif’s possible appointment as head of Saudi Arabia led military alliance ‘an honour for Pakistan’.
“If a 40-nation military alliance is ready to work under a former Pakistani COAS, it is an honour for Pakistan,” said Fazlur Rehman.
When asked if the issue should be brought to parliament, the JUI-F chief maintained that it is not an issue for parliament to decide but if the matter ever comes to parliament it would be good.
He was of the view that the alliance which is only a military alliance can turn into an economic alliance in future and this would be great for Pakistan’s foreign policy in the coming years.
In 2015, Saudi Arabia had announced the formation of the coalition to combat terrorism. Riyadh and its Gulf Arab neighbours have been locked in warfare with rebels in neighbouring Yemen.
Soon after General Sharif completed his term last year, it was reported in December that he would lead the Islamic Military Alliance, which was formed by the Saudis in 2015 to fight terrorism, especially the Islamic State and other militant groups.
Related
Pakistan nods Raheel Sharif to lead Saudi military alliance
Leave a Comment