Phosphorus bombs used in Jamia Hafsa operation: Ejaz
July 27, 2007
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Ejaz-ul-Haq has conceded that troops used phosphorus bombs during the operation against Jamia Hafsa.
Talking to journalists after offering Asr prayers at the newly renovated Jamia mosque (formerly Lal Masjid), he regretted the operation, blaming it on the obdurate behaviour of the cleric brothers.
He announced the government's steadfast resolve to rebuild the demolished mosques, which were the main cause of the uprising in the capital, and said tenders had already been approved for these mosques.
He said so far 58 bodies remained unidentified and the government intended to ensure that such incidents did not recur.
Replying to various questions, he expressed his inability to declare the deaths as martyrdom, since even according to an edict of Maulana Rafi Usmani, all depends upon the inner self of a person, which only Allah Almighty can discern.
The president and PM have declared that the government was prepared to undertake the welfare and educational expenses of students of Jamia Hafsa and Jamia Faridia, with schooling of their own choice.
The government would notify the students of this facility by phone and addresses available with the interior ministry, and Ejaz announced that 1,500 students were present before the operation, out of which 1,300 were saved in due time.
Only 102 deaths occurred, out of which 58 bodies have not been recognised so far, while DNA tests of 50 relatives have been carried out to determine the kin of casualties, he said.
Ejaz said all decisions and findings would be carried out according to Islamic tenets and principles, and he would take the officials of Madrassas into full confidence. He also expressed full readiness and cooperation of the government in court inquiries.
Talking to journalists after offering Asr prayers at the newly renovated Jamia mosque (formerly Lal Masjid), he regretted the operation, blaming it on the obdurate behaviour of the cleric brothers.
He announced the government's steadfast resolve to rebuild the demolished mosques, which were the main cause of the uprising in the capital, and said tenders had already been approved for these mosques.
He said so far 58 bodies remained unidentified and the government intended to ensure that such incidents did not recur.
Replying to various questions, he expressed his inability to declare the deaths as martyrdom, since even according to an edict of Maulana Rafi Usmani, all depends upon the inner self of a person, which only Allah Almighty can discern.
The president and PM have declared that the government was prepared to undertake the welfare and educational expenses of students of Jamia Hafsa and Jamia Faridia, with schooling of their own choice.
The government would notify the students of this facility by phone and addresses available with the interior ministry, and Ejaz announced that 1,500 students were present before the operation, out of which 1,300 were saved in due time.
Only 102 deaths occurred, out of which 58 bodies have not been recognised so far, while DNA tests of 50 relatives have been carried out to determine the kin of casualties, he said.
Ejaz said all decisions and findings would be carried out according to Islamic tenets and principles, and he would take the officials of Madrassas into full confidence. He also expressed full readiness and cooperation of the government in court inquiries.
