JI flays US embassy’s shifting to Jerusalem

LAHORE: The Jamaat-e-Islami has condemned Washington’s move of shifting its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The party termed it a blatant violation of diplomatic, international and moral norms, demanding its reversal and announcing that the MMA would observe a nationwide solidarity day with Palestinians on May 18.

JI Acting Ameer Liaquat Baloch, who is also secretary general of MMA, said in a statement on Wednesday that indiscriminate killing of unarmed Palestinian protesters by Israeli army was highly offensive and a gross violation of human rights. Wondering against the silence of civilized world on what he called genocide of Palestinian civilians, he asked the world to raise voice against the systematic killing of Palestinian Muslims by Israel.

Commenting on the recent controversy over ex-premier Nawaz Sharif’s statement, Baloch warned the supporters of Nawaz Sharif that the pro-India narrative was bound to have serious consequences and politicians should show maturity and caution under the prevailing situation. He called for the formation of an impartial caretaker government. He said in the past, the Convention League, the Junejo League and the PML-Q were formed to manipulate the situation and now political leaders were being made to join a particular political party.

The MMA secretary general said if politicians gave respect to voters, the establishment could do nothing. He urged the establishment not to carve out the leadership of their choice in the country’s politics. He said people who had been in power by turn and changing political parties were Mir Ja’fers and Mir Sadiqs, and were responsible for the prevailing crisis.

Meanwhile, JI Ameer Senator Sirajul Haq, Acting JI Ameer Liaquat Baloch, JI Deputy Ameer and President Jamiate Ittehadul Ulema Pakistan Maulana Abdul Ma’lik have expressed grief over the demise of Sheikhul Hadith Maulana Muhammad Soofi Sarwar of Jamia Ashrafia.