Rare Unity: Sindh Assembly adopts resolution against JI chief

The resolution calls upon the JI chief to tender an unconditional “apology”.

KARACHI:

The Sindh Assembly on Monday passed a unanimous resolution against Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Amir Syed Munawar Hassan for insulting army personnel and their sacrifices in the war against terrorism.

The resolution – jointly moved by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MPA Sharmila Faruqui, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Erum Azeem Farooque and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MPA Irfanullah Marwat – also called upon the JI chief to tender an unconditional “apology”.

Paying rich tributes to slain officers of the country’s armed forces, the resolution said: “JI leader’s remarks have hurt the feelings of the people of Pakistan by insulting the martyrdom of thousands of Pakistanis and soldiers of the armed forces who laid their lives in the war against terrorism.”

Lamenting the JI leader’s remarks, Faruqui said, “JI has been playing a role of a terrorist wing over the years and the statement issued by its leader has now exposed it. The Supreme Court should take suo motu notice of this issue and we want to ban the organisation which is inciting the terrorism in the country.”



Not only the PPP, but lawmakers from the other end of the political spectrum, with the exception of Pakistan Tehreek-e Insaaf (PTI), criticised Munwar Hassan inside and outside the provincial assembly. Sindh Assembly Deputy Speaker Shehla Raza said that JI’s manifesto revolves around promoting extremists who are involved in attacking temples, mosques, schools, government buildings and targeting the armed forces.

Raza also claimed that JI had close links with al Qaeda, recalling the arrest of many terrorists affiliated with militant organisations from the houses of its leaders in Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2013.