Parachinar attack ‘un-Islamic’: Fazl

JUI-F chief demands reformulation of foreign policy

PESHAWAR: Condemning Friday’s suicide bombing in Parachinar, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said Pakistani Ulema have declared terrorism and suicide attacks ‘un-Islamic’ and ‘against the Shariah’.

Maulana Fazl, who heads his own faction of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F)  was speaking to newsmen in Azakhel, Nowshera on Saturday.

Ulema from all schools of thought have declared any kind of armed struggle within Pakistan as un-Islamic, he said and added that Islam has nothing to do with terrorism and violence.

“We condemn the Parachinar attack and demand that the culprits of this barbaric act be eliminated once and for all,” he said.

He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has asked us to give a reformed narrative to declare terrorism and suicide attacks un-Islamic.

“Let me tell him we have done it four times, therefore there is no need for another narrative,” he said.



The PM had asked the Ulema to give a reformed narrative against terrorism in his speech to a gathering of minority on the occasion of Holi in Karachi.

Fazl said Ulema have already distanced themselves from militancy, terrorism and any kind of armed struggle within Pakistan.

“A congregation of hundreds of Ulema dismissed the voices that declared parliament, Constitution, judiciary and democracy un-Islamic,” he said.

Then a congregation of 25,000 Ulema in Peshawar had given another narrative that revolution through armed struggle within Pakistan and suicide attacks were against Shariah.

“Even from Wifaqul Madaris al-Arabia’s platform we have declared armed struggle, violence and every form of terrorism against Shariah,” he said.

He said these narratives come at a heavy cost as several party leaders have been killed, including Maulana Hassan Jan.

Fazl also emphasised on protecting the rights of minorities.

He said attack on life, honour and property of minorities was and always will be considered attack on JUI-F.

“Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) is a mercy for the whole mankind and there is no abhorrence in his message for anyone then how could his followers spill blood of innocent people,” he reasoned.

To a question, he said that Allama Sajid Naqvi and Parachinar Qabaili Jirga have been invited to the congregation.

“This congregation would give a message of peace, unity and religious harmony to people of Pakistan and the world as well,” he said.

Demanding the reformulation of foreign policy, he said Pakistan has been in isolation even after 70 years of independence given its important geo-strategic location.



He said if Pakistan wants to get rid of this isolation, the existing foreign policy should be revisited and international interests should be taken into account.

“The state of Madinah, despite differences, had a diplomatic relationship with Rome and Persia, the two most powerful nations of their time,” he said.

Citing China-Pakistan ‘deeper than oceans’ friendship, he said that after China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the friendship converted into economic friendship.

Terming Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (Tapi) gas pipeline as a lever of international interests he said besides national interest Pakistan should also take care of international interests.