Linking terrorism with seminaries great injustice: Imran

ISLAMABAD: PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday said if hatred was being promoted in some seminaries, there should be reforms in those but it was a great injustice to link terrorism with seminaries.
The PTI chief was addressing an Ulema and Mashaikh convention held here to condemn the publication of blasphemous sketches in a French magazine. The moot through a resolution, called on the government of Prime Minister Nawaz to summon the Islamabad-based French ambassador to the Foreign Office on the issue of sketches and record Pakistan’s protest on the matter.
Speaking on the occasion, Imran regretted silence of Muslim countries’ leaders on the issue of blasphemous sketches in the French magazine that had sent waves of outrage and anguish across the world.
He condemned the blasphemous sketches and lamented that the Muslim rulers could not impress upon France that the Muslims just could not tolerate the blasphemy of their beloved Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).
Imran said he had a complaint against Ulema who had failed to perform their duty which they were supposed to and could not lead people by rising against injustices in the society.He lamented that while Jews were just 10 million throughout the world, 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide could not tell France that they just could not tolerate blasphemy of their beloved Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and added had they done so, such incidents would not have taken place.
The PTI chairman also blamed the Muslim rulers for their failure to take up this issue with other countries effectively. He believed the printing of blasphemous sketches was an attempt to provoke the Muslims as Islam was spreading very fast in Europe and the United States.
He contended that the Muslim rulers could have jointly taken a position like not having trade with countries wherein such sketches were published. Imran added the Muslim countries could use the option of boycott of trade in case of blasphemy with other countries.
Imran said on knowing that Salman Rushdie was also attending a conference in India, he had stayed away from that event and challenged the world, who would invite and award prizes to Rushdie had he also written a book on holocaust under the freedom of expression.
He said that all including generals, judges, Ulema and politicians were responsible for the present state of affairs in Pakistan.Imran questioned was this Islam that Muslims were slain in Pakistan after seeing their CNICs and Hazara community members targetted for their belief. He asserted no one had the right to declare others as non-believers.
He alleged the 2013 elections were the most rigged elections and wondered how could a government formed on the basis of fake votes serve the masses and invest in them.The PTI chief pointed out was it proper to spend billions on the metro bus project instead of improving the condition of schools, hospitals and ensuring good food to masses, as 110 million Pakistanis could not afford two-time meal a day. He alleged metro bus like projects were only meant for pocketing commission and kickbacks.
How could democracy work when it was based on rigged elections and the poor man only had one power and that was his vote to punish those who did not improve his condition but this right had also been snatched.
Imran laid emphasis on siding with the poor and destitute in the society and asked Ulema to play their part in this connection.He alleged there was a Maulana, who always got adjusted with every government by using Islam as a tool. He alleged a small ruling class had been indulging in loot and plunder of Pakistan.
Speakers at the Ulema and Mashaikh convention also urged Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to play his role at the global level for legislation against the desecration of holy prophets.They criticised the government for not taking the issue of cartoons, as was needed to reflect religious sentiments of the Muslims with the leading powers. They asked the government to use its diplomatic skills for legislation at the UNO for banning the printing of hate material under the garb of freedom of expression.