Use of arms state prerogative: CII

ISLAMABAD: The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has reiterated that use of arms is the prerogative of state and suicide attacks are against the Islamic Shariat.

The 235th meeting of the CII, which was held with its Chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz in the chair on Wednesday while reiterating its 2018 recommendations, pointed out that use of arms by some elements in different parts of the country was against decrees (Fatwas), declarations and Pegham-e-Pakistan as issued by boards of religious seminaries and Ulema.

The CII meeting also expressed the hope that Pegham-e-Pakistan and declaration would get nod of parliament after upcoming general elections and that parliament would also take steps for necessary legislation in this regard.

The meeting, in the light of a presidential reference and to ensure of protection of human lives and private properties, also approved a detailed code of conduct for protests for the sake of legitimate rights.

The code of conduct says that every mean of protest could be adopted which is not forbidden in Islam like causing loss of human lives, private and public property, forcing people to join protest, use of abusive language, excessive mixing of males and females, accusation, spreading false and baseless news and rumours. “All these acts not allowed in Islam,” the CII in declaration issued at end of meeting said.

The code of conduct says that causing loss of government assets and properties is also against Islamic Shariat as such properties are not properties of an individual but owned by the whole nation. The code of conduct further states that protesters causing loss to private properties would be responsible for the compensation. It is responsibility of the state to compensate affected people if responsible protests are not known because it can be assumed that state failed to protect lives and properties of people and their respect.

The CII in its code of conduct maintained that beating or killing a government employee or any other person is also not permitted and against Islamic Shariat because before Almighty, the lives, property and respect of a Muslim is more sacred than Khana Ka’aba.

It says that it is responsibility of organisers of a protest that they should advise protesters that they should refrain from violence and acts of terrorism and no damage is caused to human lives. “The organisers should prefer to refrain from any protest if they feel that protest will be out of their control,” the code of conduct said.