JUI-F rejects ban on Ansarul Islam

Akram Durrani says its activists are educated and peaceful

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JUI-F leader Akram Khan Durrani rejected on Saturday the government's claim that Ansarul Islam, a subsidiary organisation of the religio-political party recently outlawed by the Ministry of Interior, was an 'armed militia'.

"Ansarul Islam march-past was not a show of force against the government rather it was an expression of solidarity with their leader, ready to participate in 'Azadi March'", Durrani told a press conference.



In a notification issued on Thursday, the federal government had maintained that Ansarul Islam was "capable of functioning as a military organisation”.

Durrani said Ansarul Islam was not a force but a registered organisation trained to deal with the emergency situations.

"Its activists are educated and peaceful," he claimed.

The JUI-F has announced it would march on the federal capital on October 31 in an attempt to overthrow the PTI government, which it alleges has come to power through rigging.

Other opposition parties – the PPP and the PML-N in particular – have also announced support for the anti-government protest.