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| India-Pakistan |
| Fazl offers mediation between govt, militants |
| 2009-10-05 |
| [The News (Pak) Top Stories] Offering mediation between the government and the Taliban militants, the chief of his own faction of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), Maulana Fazlur Rahman, said on Sunday that if his peace overture was turned down, the government's intentions would stand exposed. Speaking at the final session of the two-day 'Tahaffuz-e-Madaris Wa Masajid Conference' here, he said all issues should be resolved through negotiations, asking the government to avoid the use of force. Thousands of religious scholars, prayer leaders, teachers, students of seminaries and the JUI parliamentarians attended the conference."For the promulgation of Shariah in the country, we believe in peaceful struggle and will convince the emotional elements such as the militants to follow the same principles," he said. Maulana Fazlur Rahman said if the Islamic system was introduced through parliament, those waging an armed struggle for the imposition of Shariah would have no excuse to pick up arms. He said the government had assured them that legislation would be done according to the recommendations of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII). He hinted at quitting the coalition government if the government failed to legislate in line with the CII recommendations. "We will rethink our support to the federal government," he warned. Criticising the United States, the JUI-F leader said that America started an unjust war in Afghanistan in 2001 on the pretext of terrorism. "We had denounced the war at that time and even now we do not accept the plea of the Americans," he said. He also criticised the Awami National Party (ANP)-Pakistan People's Party (PPP) provincial government, saying the announcement about the promulgation of Shariah laws in Malakand was a drama. He said the people of Swat had launched the struggle for Shariah while the government signed a deal with Sufi Muhammad, who belonged to Dir Lower. He alleged that the ANP leaders had deviated from the philosophy of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, a torchbearer of non-violence. "The ANP had promised during the election campaign that it would provide peace to the people, but instead it rained bombs on them," he alleged. Maulana Fazlur Rahman alleged extra-judicial killings and human right violations during the military operation in Swat and other parts of the province. Later, a joint declaration was also issued that announced not to support the elements active in the armed struggle for the imposition of Shariah and instead take course of peaceful means for the purpose. The declaration, read by Maulana Gul Naseeb Khan, demanded of the government to establish an independent judicial commission to probe the alleged extrajudicial killings of clerics by security forces. |
| Posted by:Fred |