Special Representative for Prime Minister on Religious Affairs Hafiz Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi has said that former JUI-F leader and cleric Mufti Azizur Rehman should be "hanged at Minar-e-Pakistan to make an example of those who sexually abuse children".
The 70-year-old was seen in a video that sent shockwaves on Pakistani Twitter as netizens not only called for immediate action to be taken against the cleric but a clear out of paedophiles in religious seminaries across the country.
A video message was also leaked with the footage by the teary-eyed survivor, in which he claims that: ”My attacker’s sons have threatened to kill me for exposing him [Mufti Aziz]”.
In distress, the survivor shares that he is in hiding, adding that, “It is better I die” out of fear of retribution in the recording.
Meanwhile, Mufti Aziz, whose membership has been suspended by his party, also issued a video statement not only denying his role in the viral video but also claiming that “it is part of a conspiracy to smear his name”.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday, the PM's aide said that the government should set up a helpline to register a secret complaint about sexual harassment of children.
Read more: Cleric Aziz confesses to molesting student
Ashrafi said that open public punishment should be given by setting up special courts to prevent cases of child abuse. He said that pictures of sexual beasts, who abuse children or women, should be shown on television channels and publish in newspapers, adding that child abuse is a crime whether it happens in a madrassa, college or university.
He appealed to Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Gulzar Ahmed to award public and immediate sentences to such culprits. He urged parents to educate their children on how they should react and how they should seek help if somebody attempts to abuse them or touches them inappropriately.
Moreover, to the premier's remarks about women's clothing, Ashrafi said ulema fully support the statement of Prime Minister Imran Khan regarding women hijab and dresses.
He said that Islam is the protector of women rights, adding that the PM's statement about hijab is legal and in accordance with the Holy Quran and Sunnah.
He said that the premier's remark about women clothing was targeted by some elements for political reasons, adding that the Quranic order about hijab was equally applicable to men, that they should keep their eyes down.
To a question. Ashrafi said that ulema and Mashaykh across the country are with the government on the issue of Muharram observance. The prime minister has ordered for expansion of peace committees for Muharram, he added. "I will make some necessary changes in the committees and visit different districts for the purpose before Muharram"
To a question, he said a committee is working on a proposal about amending the Waqf Property Act. He said that some people were doing politics on the Waqf Property Board issue.
"We are the guards of mosques and madrassas and no one can frighten us," he added.
He said that the police had not visited any mosque or madrasa even once in three years. "We are not against modern media, but there should be a system for filtering the content being presented there," he said, adding that negative things spread evil, therefore, such things should be filtered.
Also read: 70-year-old madrassa teacher under fire after student leaks 'molestation' video
Ashrafi said that mobile phone technology has its own problems and it also spreads obscenity.
About refusing bases to the United States, he said the government represented the public sentiments by refusing the bases. He said that Pakistan always helped Afghan brothers everywhere and it is the facilitator for peace in Afghanistan, but the problem was created by the Afghan people and Afghan political parties.
He made it clear that now Pakistan's land would not be used against any country and no one should use their land against Pakistan. The PM's aide also urged the media not to create suspicions about the madrassa curriculum, adding that the Muttahida Ulema Board's job is only to stop anarchist material.
He further said that no restrictions would be imposed on teaching science subjects in madrasas.
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