CHENAB NAGAR, Chiniot: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUIF) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has strongly rejected Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s decision to provide monthly stipends to mosque imams, terming it an attempt to undermine the independence of religious leaders.
Addressing the Khatm-e-Nabuwwat Conference here, he said he had hoped that the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN), being part of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), would act wisely in matters related to religion. However, he regretted that efforts were still being made “to buy imams of mosques for Rs10,000”.
Without directly naming the Punjab chief minister, he said, “Madam, you should know that this experiment was done in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa six or seven years ago — even then, the stipend was Rs10,000. And today, it remains the same.”
Expressing strong indignation, the JUIF chief declared, “You should be ashamed. I reject this Rs10,000 from this stage on behalf of all schools of thought and all madrasas.”
The Maulana said all madrasas, their teachers, principals, students, as well as imams and preachers of mosques, are characterised by dignity and self-respect. He asserted that the country’s religious seminaries have always operated independently — without government funding or interference — and will continue to do so in future. “No political or governmental interference in the affairs of madrasas will be accepted under any circumstances,” he added firmly.
He also agreed to align with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to support a ‘grand opposition’ inside and outside the assemblies. He announced support to the PTI to hold rallies and protests across the country and reiterated the constitutional right of all political parties to hold rallies and gatherings.
The development followed a meeting at his residence with a PTI delegation the other day that included Asad Qaiser and other PTI leaders.
