CII urges action over culture of issuing 'fatwas' at will

Minister says Islamic economic system to be promoted in country

ISLAMABAD: The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) on Tuesday rejected the issuance of fatwa (edict) for murdering someone and declaring people as Kafir (non-believer) at the drop of a hat and urged the government to increase punishment for such acts.

Addressing a press conference along with Religious Affairs Minister Noorul Haq Qadri and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ali Muhammad Khan, after a CII meeting, its chairman Qibla Ayaz said the country's top religious panel will make its recommendations for increasing the punishment of those involved in the issuance of murder edicts.



Both the ministers attended the CII meeting. Ayaz said that because of the presence of the two ministers, the agenda of the meeting was delayed until the next meeting.

During the meeting, Qadri said the government would fully cooperate with the CII for legislation on its recommendations. "The council is a common platform of all sects and it will help in Islamisation," he said.

"Pakistan will lead the Ummah in efforts for formulation of an international law to prevent blasphemous acts."

While addressing the joint press conference, Qadri said the government would benefit from the wisdom of the CII and would ensure that it did not remain inactive.

He said the CII would present its recommendations to implement Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision of making the country like the state of Madina. He hinted at inviting the CII members to parliament to witness the legislative process.

The minister told the media that the government would introduce an Islamic economic system by promoting interest free banking. And then, he added, the interest-based system will be done away with.

Responding to a question, he said that the members of the CII will participate in the Kartarpur border-crossing foundation ceremony on Wednesday. They will welcome the delegation of the Indian Sikh community, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ali Muhammad Khan said the government would seek guidance from the CII. He added that all the implementable recommendations of the CII will be implements immediately.