JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has claimed that certain forces stoke the flames of sectarianism to sow discord among religious scholars of different schools of thought whenever calls are made for the imposition of an Islamic system in the country.
"There are sectarian organisations in the country, but they fight each other only at the behest of some forces. Sectarianism is fanned whenever people raise their voice for an Islamic system," said Fazl on Saturday while addressing a digital media convention in the country's economic hub.
Denouncing the official moon-sighting system, Fazl noted that the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee has been operating without a legal framework, and attempts to access its founding documents or minutes have led nowhere.
He said if there were a proper law in place, it would lead to accountability. "But the lack of legislation allows disputes among scholars over moon sighting to escalate into larger issues," he added.
Fazl lamented that no code of conduct had been developed over the past 77 years regarding Muharram processions, calling it a deliberate omission intended to pit religious groups against one another. "At the state level, such measures are taken to keep religious factions in conflict," he said.
He also criticised those who advocate a wall of separation between religion and state, arguing that religion is blamed too quickly for disorder.
"However, sectarianism alone is not the sole cause of discord in the country. Ethnicity, provincialism, regionalism, and similar factors also contribute to unrest. At times, conflicts between Baloch and Pashtuns, Sindhis and Mohajirs, and other groups have led to disorder," he said.
He said there has never been any dispute over the Objectives Resolution, and all schools of thought are united on the Islamic provisions of the Constitution.
Fazl said the Constitution clearly states that no law can be made in the country that contradicts with teachings of Islam and its sharia. However, laws, according to him, are being made on the instruction of the International Monetary Fund, the Financial Action Task Force and the United Nations.
In this regard, he cited the example of the recent passage of a bill banning marriage under the age of 18 in Islamabad and said the religion does not impose any such restrictions.
Fazl said nowadays, highlighting vices is being considered news, especially when it comes to politicians.
"One should not go around searching for people's faults and mistakes; this is a grave sin. When a person pursues someone to exploit their weaknesses, it is highly condemnable," he added.
According to the JUI-F chief, some institutions running on our tax money sit in their offices and fabricate lies about politicians. He said in the media that the search for news and the effort to find good stories are natural.
"However, it is also essential to avoid evil and to distinguish between what is halal and haram."
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