Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Munawar Hasan. PHOTO: INP/ FILE
Awami National Party (ANP) central leader Afzal Khan Lala condemned Hassan’s statement, saying JI chief Munawar Hassan and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Fazlur Rehman have belittled the sacrifices of security forces by saying their martyrdom was unjustified.
The ANP leader maintained both religious parties’ leaders had rubbed salt in the wounds of those who had lost family members due to militancy.
ANP leader Mian Iftikhar told The Express Tribune JI chief Hassan should come clean on the issue and clear his party’s position in front of the nation. “Sticking to its statements about the army is tantamount to targeting institutions and it would further increase the divide on key national issues,” said Iftikhar. He added Hassan had betrayed the nation and the Supreme Court should take suo motu notice of his remarks.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Provincial President Pir Sabir Shah said the country was facing a critical situation and all parties need to take a united stance to tackle the issue.
JUI-F Information Secretary Abdul Jalil Jan opined Hassan should refrain from making such statements. He said the security forces are fighting for the country’s integrity and Hassan should have considered that before making such statements.
Jirga demands apology
Swat’s Nepkikhel Aman Jirga demanded Munawar Hassan take back his “artificial fatwa” wherein he declared terrorists ‘innocent martyrs’ and insulted Pakistani soldiers martyred in the fight against militancy.
During a news conference at Swat Press Club, Nepkikhel Aman Jirga President Idrees Khan said Hassan’s statement had hurt the sentiments of the nation. “Declaring Hakimullah Mehsud a martyr is highly condemnable because he has killed thousands of innocent Pakistanis and even claimed responsibility for it,” said Khan, adding militants even accepted they assassinated Major General Sanaullah Niazi.
“If Hassan does not take his statement back regarding the martyrdom of Pakistani soldiers, the government must ban the JI like the Bangladeshi government did,” he added.
Hitting back
JI Spokesperson Israrullah Advocate lashed out at ANP Senator Zahid Khan’s statement calling for a ban on JI because of Hassan’s remarks. In a statement issued on Monday, Israrullah said the ANP should first put their house in order before making such comments.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 12th,2013.
COMMENTS (18)
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One can tell JI is not getting any funding these days from CIA. Desperate folk, are you? I understand. When they were getting it...they were promoted U.S attack on Iraq to save Israeli non-combatant citizens(according to their world wide campaign posters). I hope they are getting some share from the smuggling, kidnapping and robberies the Talibans are inflicting on Pak citizens, to pay for their leaders' luxury mentions in Islamabad.
@Rocketeer: For what ?........for speaking the truth.
First we have to see this issue correctly: A Muslim to fight against an Islamic State is a crime from Islamic history. Killing men of Muslim gov't's army and innocent Muslims citizens in tens of thousands is not a heavenly awarded deed by any Islamic teaching. It happens so that this same Muslim criminal is killed in an atack with non-Muslim forces can he be called become a martyr?Now if we look back in it's history from birth__ Jamaat Islaami & it's afiliates overseas actually never followed Original Fundamentals of Islamic rules & protocol of Muslim Governments....basically due to it's own original-style agenda & charter. Prove me if I am wrong!
Stone Him to death :-/
Just a matter of time. People will running after him with pitchforks, sticks,brooms,whatnot. And throwing shoes at him
Dont need appology waht he said, need to understand the situation we are into. thats waht we are, what we can do is only criricism and their lobbies are really working hard for this to create anxiety amoung us. so dont preach this hardend truth the we are no where amoung nations not even even in muslims societies.
This statement will shake the foundation if an apology does not come from Manawar hassan or JI.The thousands of soldiers have laid their life to protect the life and honor of their citizens which include everybody.The soldier sitting in eyes to eyes in front of terrorists leaving his family, brothers,sisters ,kids and parents and ready to lay his life for the protection of all,what he will think.This will greatly affect the morale of soldiers and all citizens of Pakistan.
Why hasnt SC taken notice of JI's remarks?
Apology is not enough, he should face trial on treason charges. This is DISGUSTING
It is matter of great shame that political parties have not matured in 65 years of Independence. JI is convinced that it has no future in democratic process and can never come to power through vote, so it has started playing crony to TTP & wants to come to power through the barrel of Taliban's guns.
Senseless statement from shameless man.
He should be made to grovel. He thinks growing a beard gives him the right to belittle Pakistan.
He should be turned over to Bangla Desh court.They know how to handle these supporters of terrorism.
Thank God that the true colors of Jamat are fully in the limelight...