Anti-terror bill is against country's sovereignty, claims Fazl

JUI-F chief says PTI-led govt bowed down to the international establishment and compromised country's interest

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said on Thursday that the recently-passed FATF-related bills are against the country’s sovereignty and prove of the PTI-led government’s diplomatic failure.

“We are being told that the country has been rescued from being black listed but in reality our independence has been put at stake,” he said while briefing the media about his party’s parliamentary meeting held on Wednesday.

In a rare display of unity on a matter of national interest, the government and most opposition parties on Wednesday came together to pass the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2020 with a majority vote – another legislation that is crucial for the country’s removal from global watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.

The bill proposes prohibiting the provision of loans or financial assistance to those associated with banned organisations and restricting all banks and financial institutions from issuing credit cards to individuals on the proscribed persons list.

National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser did not invite JUI-F for consultation over these bills like other opposition parties, said Fazl.

“This incompetent government has bowed down to the international establishment and passed the bills under their pressure,” said JUI-F maintaining that such laws are part of international conspiracy against Pakistan.

Lashing out at the governemnt’s diplomatic conduct, Fazl said Pakistan has failed to effectively take up Kashmir issue and India’s involvement in Balochistan at international fora.

“While Indian is among the country which pressurised Pakistan to pass the bills, we have even failed to highlight Indian atrocities against the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).”

He said never ever in the past such bills were passed by the government under international pressure. “We were compelled to do so because this incompotent rulers have desroyed our economy.”