Voicing concerns: Fazlur Rehman says his party won't part ways with the government

JUI-F chief stresses the importance of retaining religious seminaries.

SUKKUR: The chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, clarified that his party is not going to part ways with the government, rather it will remain in the coalition to make the government realise its fault.

He was addressing a press conference at the Madrassa Hamadia Manzil Gah, Sukkur, on Saturday afternoon. Rehman said that while terrorism in the name of religion is unacceptable, any action against religious seminaries on the pretext of combating terrorism is wrong.

He also criticised the opposition leader in the National Assembly, Khursheed Shah. "Before asking me about when I am leaving the government, he should tell us when he is going to join the government," he said.

"Terrorism in the name of religion or sect is not acceptable," he said. "Similarly, any action taken against the religious seminaries on the pretext of [combating] terrorism is wrong." According to him, 26,000 religious seminaries throughout the country are registered with the government and applications for registration of 22,000 seminaries are pending. "Only 241 seminaries are unregistered."

He urged the authorities to avoid painting a horrific picture of religious seminaries, adding that all education institutions including religious seminaries are equally respectable. "It is wrong to link terrorism with language, sect, area or religion, as it is against humanity," he said.

According to him, the 21st constitutional amendment does not cover all aspects of terrorism and that is the reason his party expressed its opposition. "The 21st constitutional amendment is discriminatory," he said. Expressing his disappointment over the government's attitude, he said the government had taken the opposition in confidence before passing the law, but 'did not bother to take our word'.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 18^th, 2015.