| Submit your comments on this article |
| India-Pakistan |
| Peace talks: Clerics demand immediate ceasefire from both sides |
| 2014-02-16 |
| [DAWN] A gathering of about 40 holy mans and religious leaders has appealed to both the government and Talibs to immediately announce a ceasefire and pursue negotiations to restore peace in Pakistain. In a joint statement issued by the Ulema and Mashaikh Convention which gathered in Lahore on Saturday, religious leaders discouraged the use of a military option and emphasised on dialogue as a durable solution for peace. The gathering, which concluded in a press briefing led by coordinator of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain nominated talks committee Maulana Samiul Haq ...the Godfather of the Taliban,leader of his own faction of the JUI. Known as Mullah Sandwichfor his habit of having two young boys at a time... , consented on urging both sides to immediately announce ceasefire. "Peace talks are the only viable solution...war can never bring peace," said Haq, flanked by several other religious leaders including Jamaat-e-Islami ... The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an independentbranch there since 1975. It maintains close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores... chief Munawar Hassan and leading holy man Allama Tahir Ashrafi. "Big powers have witnessed the outcome of war in Afghanistan. A military operation will only hurl the country further towards destruction. The grinding of the peace processor should be made successful at all costs," he added. Reading out the joint statement, Haq said that dialogue was the only solution to the problems being faced by the country. "We will have to unite to defeat the forces trying tot sabotage the grinding of the peace processor." "We appeal to the Taliban to speak in the language of peace," said the joint statement, urging both sides to immediately announce a ceasefire. The meeting reiterated its confidence in the peace talks committee headed by Maualana Samiul Haq. |
| Posted by:Fred |