Illegal Agitation: Lal Masjid distances itself from PTI protest

ISLAMABAD: The Lal Masjid administration on Friday said it would not support or participate in the planned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest, putting all rumours of Lal Masjid’s support for the PTI to rest.

Lal Masjid has not only distanced itself from the PTI, but has gone a step further and declared the party’s agitation “illegal and unconstitutional”.

In a statement issued by the Shuhada Foundation, an umbrella organisation for Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa, a spokesperson said the foundation agreed with Imran’s point of view, but differed with his actions. The spokesperson criticised Imran’s doublespeak over people killed in Model Town, Lahore, and the Lal Masjid siege.

“When Imran talks about the martyrs of Model Town, he is flanked by those who have the blood of Lal Masjid martyrs on their hands,” he said, adding that Imran’s actions did not support his claims of bringing about justice in the country.

“We will neither support the sit-in nor participate in it. Shuhada Foundation will not become a part of any unIslamic, unconstitutional, or illegal action,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29^th, 2016.