Local politicians are exploiting situation for ulterior motives. PHOTO: FILE
The contradicting statements of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders and former senator Maulana Samiul Haq have led to confusions. Local politicians are exploiting the situation to achieve ulterior motives. However, this has also provided an opportunity to the global media to malign Pakistan on the basis on terrorism.
Inception
The seminary under debate was established on September 23, 1947 by late Maulana Abdul Haq.Darul Uloom Haqania Akora Khattak was considered to be a chain of Darul Uloom Deoband, India.
Founder of the seminary, Maulana Abdul Haq, was a man who enjoyed tremendous respect, not only in the circle of religious-minded people, but among political circles as well. However, after his death in the late 1980s, the seminary’s name came under fire for one reason or the other.
During the final years of his Abdul Haq’s life, Samiul Haq established an understanding with the then military ruler, Ziaul Haq. However, after his father’s death, Samiul Haq turned the seminary in a hub of mysterious activities.
As the word “terror” has united peace-loving nations on a single platform, the involvement of the seminary in mysterious activities has become trite.
Since 1980s till date, Haqania is the place where likeminded hardliners — particularly those who believe in armed hostilities not only against US presence in Afghanistan but also against India and with hatred against Iran on sectarian grounds — meet to discuss strategies and plans.
Discord
Coming back to the matter of allocations, the statements of donors and beneficiaries are contradictory. On the one hand Samiul Haq, confirming reception of Rs150 million from Rs300 million allocated in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa budget for 2016-17, has said the grant was provided by an MPA of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, from the same area, for the construction of several classrooms in the high secondary school that is affiliated with the seminary.
However, PTI Chairperson Imran Khan and his party stalwarts, who hold ministerial offices, have said this amount is part of the reforms agenda.
Minister for Finance Muzaffar Said, who belongs to Jamaat-e-Islami, has said, “It [the amount] is meant to construct toilets.”
Similarly, a team of officials, including two provincial ministers — who recently visited Haqania on the directives of Imran and Chief Minister Pervez Khattak — said the amount provided from the budgetary allocations is meant to fulfill water supply and sanitation services.
No one can deny the fact that such grants are always distributed on political and amicable grounds.
The previous two governments had ignored seminaries and some of the religious leaders and their followers who were directly or indirectly involved in promoting terrorism – Haqania was one of the sidelined subjects.
Even under the National Action Plan, a large number of people, including politicians, political analysts and journalists, have demanded checks and balances should be maintained on the financial sources of seminaries like Haqania throughout the country.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 27th, 2016.
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