March 04, 2007	Sunday	Safar 14, 1428

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RAWALPINDI, March 3: Speakers at a seminar here on Saturday held US hegemonic polices responsible for the increasing extremism and terrorism throughout the world particularly in the Muslim countries.

The seminar on “Jihad, Terrorism and Pakistan” was organised by District Bar Association.

The speakers included former ISI chief Lt-Gen (retd) Hameed Gul, Coordinator Jamatud Dawa Abdul Rehman Makki and former federal minister for religious affairs Dr Mahmood Ghazi.

The speakers said the highhandedness of America was contributing a lot to present surge in terrorism.

The violence in Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine was the direct outcome of American authoritarian policies, which have damaging effects on Pakistan peace as well.

They said forcing Pakistan to do more to curb cross border infiltration vindicated that the US had failed in Afghanistan.

Hameed Gul said the government’s pro-American policies could not draw any appreciation of both the US and its people, instead they were more hostile towards Pakistan.

He said tumult in tribal belt and insecurity in rest of the country spoke volumes of how unwelcome pro-American policies were among the masses. US administration on the other hand feels that is not doing enough for them, Mr. Gul said.

He, however, said the reaction in Afghanistan and Iraq against the occupying forces could be called Jihad but killing of non-combatants and civilians was not Jihad.

The prevalent wave of blasts targeting sensitive places and government officials in Pakistan has also more to do with sectarianism than with concept of Jihad, he maintained.

Abdul Rehman Makki speaking on the occasion lambasted America for being the custodian of Jewish interests that were based on anti-Islamic thinking. He said the Jews had always a hand in international conspiracies and supported terrorist activities. He further said Jihad was ordained by Allah on the Muslims but killing innocent civilians could in no way be justified.

The religious leader said the attacks on judiciary betokened the failure of government agencies in maintaining law and order.

He urged upon the government to take concrete measures for the security of its citizens.

Dr Mahmood Ghazi voiced his anger over the colonial policies of the US and feared such policies were destabilising the whole of the world. He warned that any US military venture against Iran would make the world more unstable and insecure.