Khatm-e-Nabuwwat 'controversy' should be laid to rest now: Ahsan Iqbal

Interior minister says matter shouldn't be misused for political gains

Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal said on Tuesday that the gaffe in the Khatm-e-Nabuwwat declaration in the election nomination form was rectified as soon as it was pointed out and there was no need to turn the matter into a major controversy.

"There is no difference of opinion when it comes to the matter of Khatm-e-Nabuwwat so this issue shouldn't be misused for political gains," he told reporters in Islamabad.

He pointed out that all political parties had jointly prepared the new nomination form, and it was a collective error that was fixed within 24 hours.

"Any other legislation in our Constitution can be amended except for this [Khatm-e-Nabuwwat law]," he remarked.

"There is no reason for staging protests over this issue. That will only create unrest in the country."



Earlier this month, the government had rectified a "clerical error" in a clause of the Election Bill 2017 on Khatm-e-Nabuwwat (finality of the prophethood) in the declaration form of the public office holders.

'Development work'

Iqbal said political opponents were downplaying the development work which had taken place in the country during the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's (PML-N) government.

He added that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan only pointed out the problems for his own vested interests, and ignored the progress achieved by the government.

"Other countries are acknowledging Pakistan's economic progress," he added.

"Back in 2013, our economy was on the decline and we were labelled one of the most dangerous countries in the world," he noted.



"However, now we are among the top five attractive markets for investors and an emerging economy."

Iqbal said all this had been possible because of competency of the government to steer the economy towards growth.

"It's a blessing that Imran did not come into power in 2013 or the nation would have been doomed."

The minister maintained that the Panamagate verdict had caused political uncertainty, negatively affecting the economy.