JI chief Munawar Hasan. PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD: In a rare rejoinder to a political leader’s statement, Pakistan Army on Sunday strongly condemned the remarks of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Syed Munawar Hassan and demanded an ‘unconditional apology’ from him.
In a recent TV programme, the JI chief had reportedly said that if an American who died on the battlefield was not a martyr, then his backers were also not martyrs because they were chasing the same goal. He had also called Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Hakimullah Mehsud – who was killed in a US drone strike recently – a ‘martyr.’
“Syed Munawar Hassan has tried to invent a logic based on his political convenience. Strong condemnation of his views from an overwhelming majority leaves no doubt in any one’s mind that all of us are very clear on what the state of Pakistan is and who its enemies are,” said a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The army’s statement further said: “The sacrifices of our shuhada [martyrs] and their families need no endorsement from Syed Munawar Hassan and such misguided and self-serving statements deserve no comments.”
It said that Munawar Hassan’s statement was both painful and unfortunate as it came from the head of “a party founded by Maulana Maududi, who is respected and revered for his services to Islam”.
The ISPR release further said that the people of Pakistan – whose loved ones laid down their lives while fighting terrorism and families of martyrs of the armed forces demand an unconditional apology from JI chief for hurting their feelings.
“It is also expected that the Jamaat-e-Islami should clearly state its party position on the subject,” the statement added.
Reacting to the rare rejoinder, JI Secretary General Liaquat Baloch said his party would comment on the ISPR statement after intra-party consultations. “Soldiers and officers of our army are part of our national institution and the JI has always expressed sorrow over the martyrdom of innocent people and soldiers,” Baloch told a television news channel.
Another senior leader of Jamaat Fareed Piracha said: “We consider the martyrs of Pakistan Army as martyrs.” He added that the JI chief’s statement was taken out of context. “Munawar Hassan will himself tell if these were personal views or the Jamaat’s policy.”
Former ISI chief Lt Gen (Retd) Hameed Gul said Munawar Hassan’s statement seems to be his personal views. He added that the JI has always supported Pakistan Army.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 11th,2013.
COMMENTS (89)
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As all JI, this Mulla is also confused and distracted. I wish that Mr. Talha Hassan die from a suicide attack along with his family..........Then this question will be of real interset, who is Shaheed and who is Halak............Its always easy to comment on other's blood, we would love to hear from Mr. Munawar on his son "halakat".
JI has been pushed at the front tactfuly by PTI . Now they are along with TTP are a well defined target of both Army and Drones . The present govt. will also deal this situation tactfuly and will take in confidence both India and Afghanistan .
Hameed Gul is out and Musharraf is in ,in the grip of court ,
Court in Pakistan is blind and blunt .
@M. Emad: my dear brother first study then u should write or comment , u even don't know how many where killed in Bangladesh and why and by whom secondly army also knows that it is the only party which is sincere to Pakistan and its people and munawar hasan was not giving the fatwa he was just asking the question now i ask you for example the american give support to Indian Muslim and order them to attack Pakistan then what will u say about that whether they will be shaheed or otherwise, in the same why no buddy can comment on this, the afghans think and treat us in the same way as they do for american because we r helping Americans please don't tell a lie and never miss guide any one we all are Pakistanis, army is pride of this nation why don't we criticize so much on others corrupt politicians or the one who r responsible for Karachi target killings by the way u should read the book dead reckoning on 1971 war u will be very much clear written by a Bengali writer .this is the time to unite and support pakistan army and lets get ride of this terrorism by mutual trust and cooperation ,and finally army shaheeds don't require any certificate from any one, Allah pakistan ko hamesha abad rakay ameen
If your Enemy is United Satans of America...then Munnawar Hasan Sahib is 100% right.
@Hopeful: who do you think provides insight and strategic planning to JI, JUI and Taliban?
The people opposing Syed Munnawar Hussain means that American are the great Mujahid fighting against the enemies of Pakistan ?
@Cunning: Has no one figured out why everyone is calling Munawar a Master Debator :)
LMFAO
@Khan: What personal gain he got for making things straight?
@Jat - "Are leaders of JI and JUI(f) agents of RAW and Mossad ?"
Er... Ahemm... Well these are RAW and Mossad agents, but again these are our people... no wait a minute, these are indeed RAW/Mossad agents... well er... don't know where to start... (And the genuflection goes on and on)...
No one fighting americas war is shaheed.
You can take this to the bank.
JI and PTI showes their real faces.. dont give them vote next time....
"Former ISI chief Lt Gen (Retd) Hameed Gul said Munawar Hassan’s statement seems to be his personal views. He added that the *
*." So should not they be tried for the subversion of constitution in 1977 and 1999 for supporting army take over or they will be exempted because of their ties with the army. Is this a country or a Banana Republic.
Apology is not enough, he should be tried in court for defamation and treason charges. This non-sense has to stop now
@ Hari Om : “The Pakistan Army has badly erred by selection of the motto “Iman, Taqwa, Jihad Fi Sabilillah” or translated “Faith, Piety, Jihad In The Path Of Allah”.”
Incredibly ironic that the Pakistan Army’s motto structured to nurture Islamic sentiment to fight the “Kaafirs” of India is now being used to delegitimize the Pakistan Army’s campaign against Islamic extremists! The phrase “Hoist by ones own petard” comes readily to mind.
I do not know who is right or wrong. But for sure, Munawar Hasan's statement has re-initiated an issue which we sleeping sheep had accepted without any investigation!
We entered into a conflict with our own religion and belief, the day we accepted to support US/NATO to kill Muslims in Afghanishtan. Now if our own conscious does not raise questions, then for sure more floods, more natural disasters are coming our way to wake us up!
What munawar hassan said is a bittter & harsh but TRUTH .. right now muslims are in such a condition that the one who is KILLING is also saying (لا اله الا الله محمد رسول الله) and the one who is being killed saying (لا اله الا الله محمد رسول الله) so who to trust GOD knows.. but i am with Munwar hassan our nation including our army & legislation is like a pigeon who close her eyes when see a cat .. Munawar hassan statement no doubt spread a violation but at least there is one person who can speak out of blue ... wow BRAVO Mr.Munawar Hassan.. There were a days when we used to look at our army and used to salute the truck load of army people but these days nobody salute even everybody show a bad behavior.. this is all due to our one man show Mushii ji.. Any ways ... Good Luck Pakistan to cope up with current situation.
Kamran Ali KSA
Those who are helping cruel army of America, how can we say "martyr" ?. Mr Hasan Statement 100% true. What do you say about drone attack on innocent people? Only americans are human in this world ????
@Uza Syed: Khuda only knows how many types of terrorists are in Pakistan some are supported and nurtured as national strategic assets, some are are encouraged to to inflict thousand cuts and bleed the enemy. And some are killing the Army. so we do not know what is what.
By attire, look and affiliation to a religo-political group, Syed Munawar Hassan comes across as a pious Muslim who is knowledgeable about Islam and as such his comment that executed terrorist Hakimullah Mehsud is a “martyr” while members of the Pakistan Military were not martyrs, will not be easily dismissible in a polity as saturated with Islam as Pakistan is.
Pakistan should take a leaf out of Bangladeshi book and ban JI! Most importantly, PTI should kick out JI from KPK's coalition government for this treacherous statement.
Pity on us if still we cannot see real faces of JI and PTI. They both are fake parties playing with the sentiments of poor Pakistanis. Imran Khan, you thoroghly disappointed your supporters.
@Raj - USA: {Arresting these leaders alone will make the talibans morally weak and they shall lose courage to fight the army. This will also encourage patriotic and nationalist citizens to come forward and fight the talibans}
Absolutely brilliant. Still an overwhelming majority is against Taliban and their brutal / barbaric / stone age policies but they have been silenced into submission by emotional blackmail and strident right wing rhetoric of politicians and intellectuals mentioned in your comment.
This indeed is once in a life time opportunity to reclaim the moral high ground in fight against terror and forces of darkness. Let no one dare publicly support these extremists due to fear of wide spread ridicule as the Army has belatedly done. Once the enabling environment created by apologists and closet supporters is removed, these abominable forces will wither away deprived of oxygen.
@Unarmed: {said that if an American who died on the battlefield was not a martyr, then his backers were also not martyrs because they were chasing the same goal Yes his logic is simple and clear… rather bashing, Army should answer his logic}
Are you out of your mind like Maulana Sb? Americans are fighting in Afghanistan as an occupying force against national liberation forces of which Afghan Taliban are a major component. Pak Army is fighting inside Pakistan against those who are primarily focussed (except killing of few CIA operatives in Kabul) against a genuinely elected representative Govt. by means of indiscriminate bombings and self confessed killing of tens of thousands of civilians including hundreds of Army / police personnel some of whom were slaughtered like goats in captivity. The declared aim of TTP is toppling of Pak Govt. by spreading terrror and anarchy and abolition of all state institutions.
Yes Maulana Sb's logic would have carried some weight if Pak Army was fighting in Afghanistan alongside USA/NATO forces against Afghan Taliban. Why Pak ARMY is not fighting Haqqani group in spite of severe American pressure? Because they are Afghan War focused and not attacking Pak civilians / security forces although as per International conventions we should be evicting or stopping them from cross border attacks.
@Syed A. Mateen: Absolutely, that should be the only way!
clever mulana phans gaya... "Good work Pakistan Army"
@Khan: Khan this was a political statement. Does not deserved to be called a "Munafiq" because if anyone calls others Kafir/Munafiq and they are not that, then according to Islam the accusor himself becomes what he accused the other.
@Unknown: Shame on people like you for trying to change the subject. JI has always played politics behind Islam & deserves to be banned & people like you who support these parties & terrorist apologists shpould be flogged in public.
IF ANY MUSLIM KILLED BY AMERICA (NON - BELIEVERS) WHAT YOU CALLED HIM ?
Martyer ?
When there is a war between Hidden / Declared War between Muslims and Non Muslims - Will support Non Muslims ?
At least this puts the theory of JI being an establishment stooge to rest.
JI Chief should apologize for telling the truth. If our Army considers this war as our own, then why don't they allow us to stop NATO supplies and stop earning money from the Americans.
All of Jamaat e Islami are Master Debators
He he he
@Righteous:
Munawar is a MASTER DEBATOR..
Love it...
Happy this slipped through the ET censors....
Jamat-e-Islami was puppet of Army...J.I and Gen.Zia are responsible for th present situation in Pakistan..it has linked with muslim brotherhood......Jamat-e-Islami should be banned
Why is the great CJ not going ahead with a suo moto treason case again Munawar and the JI?
@Unknown:
Would love to see ISPR objecting MQM as well for declaring its dead people as “Shaheed”
Are there videos of MQM men beheading Pakistan Army personnel, or has the MQM claimed the assassination of any Maj General?
Why don't you express your love for the bloodthirsty Taliban in a more direct way?
Hamid Gul is a opportunist. He'll take sides based on what is in it for him. Even if it is at the expense of the organization that put food on his table for so many decades.
@Jat - Oh, it's not like Pakistan is a place of 170 million people who might hold different opinions pertaining to different matters. Even here you can see most people don't agree with the views held by the JI-chief. It would only be contradictory if the same people made these two very different and opposite arguments.
All so called islamic parties should be banned in Pakistan. Similarly all extremist liberals should also be banned. We need no extremist whatsoever. We should be proud of our relegion, culture and values.
J,I chief is 100 right I agreed with him if they are shaheed then ww1 ww2 indian muslims faujis are shaheed too who fought for Britain christion.
This is a domestic dispute between husband and wife and would be resolved quickly. We need not bother.
Controversial who is Shaeed who's not? this question has to ask Islamic Experts on Shariat Laws Pakistan official name is Islamic Republic Of Pakistan because of majority Muslim country where Islamic Shariat laws are not in force but English Laws! Our Army is still mostly educated in english schools in Pakistan England Usa and their first luanguage is also english! both sides has kill at will! both of them are blaming eachother both of them are pakistanis who is more Muslim or defends the best interests of Ir Pakistan time will tel!
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) was the Fatwa as well as Killing Arm of Pakistan Army during 1971 East Pakistan (Bangladesh) Genocide. 3 million people were killed by their 'fatwa-terror'. In 1971, according to JI the genocide perpetrators / killers were 'Gazi / Shaheed (martyrs)'. JI has not changed its stance. Moreover, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP; chief: 'Shaheed' Hakimullah Mehsud) was created by Pakistani establishment for 'jihad'.
So where is the 'controversy'?
Why JI chief Munawar Hassan’s 'statement was both painful and unfortunate'?
And for what JI chief Munawar Hassan should 'tender an unconditional apology'?.
If some body commented like this guy in this country. You cannot imagine the anger . I am sure he will be no longer head a political party he will probably disappear from political scene for ever. You can argue about political decisions of army and rightly denounce unconstitutional actions of any group including army. But to insult soldiers who laid their lives for their country is.....may be Bengalese are far smarter .
The army PR should be careful in issuing statements against the muslim clergy, which couldf backfire from within the army ranks; which is extreme right in religious enterprise.
Rex Minor
@Raj - USA: Pakistani army ISI/army created talibans. Pakistan ISI uses non-State actors to kill fellow Muslims (Ummah) in Afghanistan and Indian Kashmir.
Apology, what apology? Try him for treason and let him taste his own medicine. His cousins in Bangladesh are getting it one by one, now it is high time that we do the same here too. If we let these medieval mindsets, who through sheer power of their lungs have taken the entire country for ransom, roam freely, Pakistan will never become a nation. Actually the establishment should apologize for harboring and abetting these kind bigoted evil spirits so far and letting them capture the center-stage of our political discourse.
Seems like everyone here is against JI. So far I know JI the only party who fought in East Pakistan and stood along Pak Army so Army should must remember JI role in Kashmir also. As far Mr Munawar Hassan comment about Hakeemullah's killing ,it should have not said publically. Why Munawwar Hassan forgot Colonal Imam,s killing by hakeemullah ? TTP is a terrorist group who killed so many innocent unarmed civilian Pakistani muslims and non muslim with no legal rights. I personaly like to see another drone attack on mullah radio who is a known killer. If we dont have courage and sources to kill these bandits than we should atleast thankfull to those who did our job. Bottom line.
Thank you DRONE,when we can see you back in action again?
Shameful silence on part of PML-N on this. They have yet to condemn MH for this statement.
Even more shameful conduct of PTI, first it maintained silence on the statement of the JI chief, and now many PTI members are objecting to ISPR's statement and defending Munawar Hassan instead of condemning his remark. No wonder PTI is criticised for being apologetic to TTP
Its time to bring JI to its knees, just the way it was done in Bangladesh. I'm just wondering if they had more say in Pakistan what would have happened to all this Muslim Minorities.
This is why I prefer Musharraf over any other politician. They work under the banner of democracy and ruin your lives - Musharraf being a chief of army in his times wasn't even a dictator under dictatorship.
Oh really...the Army had turned against fundoos and jihadis? Since when? Would it object to Haqqanis or Mullah Omar being called martyrs? And isn't Hafiz Saeed still a hero for the Army? The army itself is half-jihadi and half-modern/secular/liberal...and it would be interesting to know which is the bigger, more powerful half. It will be nice if they can "sort it out" among themselves first so that the world knows whether it is a fundoo army or a modern professional army. I'm betting that it is a fundoo army in modern clothing.
Fully agree with ISPR taking it onto itself to take self.... When the political class knows only bending over backwards to appease the elements supporting the ideology of terrorists and extremists. I only wish ISPR had also responded to Maulana Fazal of JUI...
Where is the suo moto CJ? Munwaar Hasan must be put on media for his views against all partys reps. Doodh ka doodh saaf. BTW I see lots of paid trolls zooming in on this debate.
JI should be banned at the earliest. People of Karachi know better than to support PTI n JI alliance in the LB elections
Great job Pak Army. Syed Munawar Hasan must be removed from his position.
Mr Munawar has a reputation as a master debator
Now he will also be known for this disgraceful comment...
Apart from all these breaking news is it not based on tweet of an official belong to ISPR no official statement though from ISPR
Funny how in Baluchistan no one is asked to apologise they just disappear. Why is the formula different for Punjab based groups?
Does that mean we should also be expecting an apology from the army for breaking the constitution time and time again?
I am very glad to see the army finally taking a stand against these unpatriotic and sectarian forces in Pakistan.
It is a golden opportunity for the army. They should use all available anti-terrorist laws and arrest top leaders of JI and JUI (F). They should also take strong actions on PTI, such as dissolving their government and NS should support the army in this. Even PML-N leaders like Chaudhry Nissar should be booked under available anti terrorist laws. Arresting these leaders alone will make the talibans morally weak and they shall lose courage to fight the army. This will also encourage patriotic and nationalist citizens to come forward and fight the talibans. The army should also take strong action on their own like Hamid Gul. They should also arrest others like Ansar Abbasi and Oria Maqbool Jan.
The army should have done this long ago but they followed a flawed strategy of popping up and encouraging DPC and PTI. The army's silence for long on the insane statements of leaders like Munawar Hassan, Fareed Paracha and Moulana Fazlur Rehman have provided encouragement to the talibans and terrorists. Every Al Quaida terrorist who was arrested in Pakistan had a direct connection with JI and were in fact arrested from the safe houses provided by JI leaders.
All Pakistanis criticizing JI… now wait a minute… take a deep breath… ok now answer the following question: Are leaders of JI and JUI(f) agents of RAW and Mossad ? Think carefully and answer…
According to most Pakistanis; the TTP and Mullah Radio are RAW agents, financed by India. Hence, they were the ‘bad taliban’, while the Afghan Taliban and Haqquanis were the ‘good taliban’. But now.leaders of PTI, JI and JUI(f) consider slain mehsud leaders to be shaheed, and also want to talk with Mullah Radio. JI leaders have gone as far as to say that the soldiers killed while fighting TTP were not shaheed. (Watch yesterday’s Jirga interviews on TV). One more thing – PTI was being supported by DG(ISI) Pasha, and the JI and JUI(f) have always been supported by the army. So how does one reconcile these contradictory facts ? Why are the rightist parties, formerly blue-eyed boys of the army, supporting the RAW agents so vehemently ? from, a very curious Indian
The army's demand is absolutely fair and it echoes the feelings of the nation.
No sane person anywhere in the world other than Pakistan would call a wanted terrorist and murderer of tens of thousands of innocent countrymen and soldiers a "martyr'.
Munawwar Hassan is completely wrong here and must tender an unconditional apology to the entire nation and its army. it is indeed an insult to the brave servicemen and their families who have sacrificed their lives while defending the country and the entire society against these monsters.
Quid e Azam- Kafir e Azam Pakistan- Kafirstan The worst killer of humanity Hakeemullaah is Martyr And now the martyrs of army is not a martyr due to one extremely twisted logic. What else do you need to prove that Jamaat hasn't accepted Pakistan by heart.
said that if an American who died on the battlefield was not a martyr, then his backers were also not martyrs because they were chasing the same goal Yes his logic is simple and clear... rather bashing, Army should answer his logic.
Isn't this treason for the head of a political party to side with the enemies of the state and glorify them, while the butchers of our brave soldiers and innocent Pakistanis are elevated by him to the status of martyrdom. Shouldn't the army, the Supreme Court, and the State in general try him for treason, and at the very least prevent him from poisoning more minds in Pakistan by barring him from leading a political party or appearing on national media.
Only in Pakistan people can get away with such disloyalty to the state in the name of religion. See what Bangladesh is doing to such mindset. They are clear about their national interests and are firmly on path to removing this menace once and for all. Some sacrifice today can purge the politics and the functioning of the state from such convoluted minds. There is very little difference in the philosophy of JI and TTP - as admitted by Mr. Hassan in the same interview. So, don't let them advance any further until they prove their loyalty and respect for the state, the constitution, and various state organs. Make it a requirement for any political party to operate in Pakistan that they refrain from making any anti-state statement or they should be banned from politics.
The words are painful. They pinch you always and being an Army brat I feel it along with others. Apologize Munawaar sahb.
Fair demand & someone else also needs to apologize from tribal Pashtuns for using them as weapon for their own purpose and then abandoning them when they are done with them.
“a party founded by Maulana Maududi, who is respected and revered for his services to Islam”. - Yes like saying that the creation of Pakistan was un-Islamic.
Who is anyone to say who is and is not a martyr? Isnt that up to God?
In as much painful as it might be for the love ones of the army personnel who lost their lives in combat, it is time that they learn that they did not die as shaheeds while fighting their fellow muslim country men. The clergy must come forward and issue a clear statement.
Rex Minor
This is not the first occasion that Mansoora Group has insulted Pakistan. GHQ must explain why this group was not brought to task when it refused to honour those soldiers who died in FATA.
Now that the Army has said what needs to be said its for the people to rise up against these munafiqeen! In any other country the masses would have been up in arms against such 'holy beards' who support and sympathise with killers and murderers - its welcome that the Army has finally given up thinking that the politicians will openly criticise the mullahjis - they will never - they are scared of them.
Mullah Munawer Hsan's position vis a vis Taliban is not a secret for anyone in Pakistan and no one in his right mind supports him. But, Munawer Hasan's public statement on Hakim Ullah Mehsud's killing is outrageous and all Pakistanis are hurt and offended and do understand and support our brave Army's demand of an unconditional apology in addition to withdrawal of this ridiculous statement from Maulvi Sahib. He ought to shame and repent and his party as well must clarify its position otherwise all people of Pakistan must condemn and boycott this maulviu and his party.
Would love to see ISPR objecting MQM as well for declaring its dead people as "Shaheed"
Bengalis were always ahead of the west pakistanis. Today they have banned Jamaat islami and announced death for a few of their leaders When is Pakistan going to be brave enough to do that
What a horribly ignorant man this "maulana" is. He is a politician using Islam for personal gain, a Munaafiq.
Why is hameed gul defending JI?