Rehman Malik said non-Muslims are terrorists: Minority MPA
Saleem Khokhar says Malik's comments were religiously biased.
A file photo of interior minister Rehman Malik. PHOTO: PID / FILE
KARACHI:
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) minority MPA Saleem Khurshid Khokhar moved an adjournment motion in the Sindh Assembly on Wednesday against interior minister Rehman Malik, who reportedly declared non-Muslims as terrorists.
Khokhar said that Malik had told the National Assembly that terrorists had been asked to lay down their arms or declare themselves as “non-Muslims”.
“His speech was totally biased and against religious minorities. We condemn it and demand the government get the interior minister mentally checked,” Khokhar told the media after assembly proceedings on Wednesday.
Earlier, Malik had said, “Islam has no room for violence. Innocent people are losing their lives. Those who had been killed in Quetta were also Muslims. Why are you killing your own Muslim brothers? Is this Islam? If not, why you people are not declaring yourself as non-Muslim.”
Khokhar said minorities have equal rights in the constitution and the white colour in the national flag, which is an icon of peace, also represents the religious minorities in the country.
“The statement issued by federal minister has created resentment among our people and we fear Malik will order police and law enforcement agencies to kill minorities,” he added.
The MPA further claimed that it was not the first time such statements have been issued by Malik and other conservative lawmakers of the PPP.
“PPP MNA Abdul Haq aka Mian Mitho had already called minorities’ lawmakers agents of international agencies including RAW, Mossad and American CIA. However, Malik had also criticised the leader of the Catholic Church Pope Benedict XVI by relating his gathering with Tahirul Qadri’s long march held in Islamabad.”
He said that he would take the matter to the current session of the Sindh Assembly and would request the speaker to adjourn all proceedings to discuss this sensitive issue.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) minority MPA Saleem Khurshid Khokhar moved an adjournment motion in the Sindh Assembly on Wednesday against interior minister Rehman Malik, who reportedly declared non-Muslims as terrorists.
Khokhar said that Malik had told the National Assembly that terrorists had been asked to lay down their arms or declare themselves as “non-Muslims”.
“His speech was totally biased and against religious minorities. We condemn it and demand the government get the interior minister mentally checked,” Khokhar told the media after assembly proceedings on Wednesday.
Earlier, Malik had said, “Islam has no room for violence. Innocent people are losing their lives. Those who had been killed in Quetta were also Muslims. Why are you killing your own Muslim brothers? Is this Islam? If not, why you people are not declaring yourself as non-Muslim.”
Khokhar said minorities have equal rights in the constitution and the white colour in the national flag, which is an icon of peace, also represents the religious minorities in the country.
“The statement issued by federal minister has created resentment among our people and we fear Malik will order police and law enforcement agencies to kill minorities,” he added.
The MPA further claimed that it was not the first time such statements have been issued by Malik and other conservative lawmakers of the PPP.
“PPP MNA Abdul Haq aka Mian Mitho had already called minorities’ lawmakers agents of international agencies including RAW, Mossad and American CIA. However, Malik had also criticised the leader of the Catholic Church Pope Benedict XVI by relating his gathering with Tahirul Qadri’s long march held in Islamabad.”
He said that he would take the matter to the current session of the Sindh Assembly and would request the speaker to adjourn all proceedings to discuss this sensitive issue.