APROPOS Amir Rana’s column ‘Dilemma of Barelvi politics’ (Aug 24), a few assertions and inferences drawn by him need objective viewing.

Tahirul Qadri has certainly rejuvenated the Barelvis, rekindling in them a sense of political orientation, yet, dubbing him a proponent of Barelvi politics is incorrect and contrary to the facts behind the genesis and evolution of Pakistan Awami Tehreek.

Since the PAT’s establishment in 1989 at Lahore, it’s philosophy and manifesto expressly has a non-sectarian colour despite the fact that he is the most eloquent and renowned Barelvi scholar of his times.

The rallying of Barelvis around Qadri should be viewed in the backdrop of their disillusionment with their leaders, traditional Pirs/Gaddi Nasheens, moribund religio-political parties like JUP, both Niazi and Noorani faction, and not owing to any sectarian-prompted campaigning of Qadri or PAT.

Similarly, the closing of ranks by the Sunni Ittehad Council and Majlis-i-Wahdatul-Muslimeen with PAT is not deep-seated bonhomie but a survival bid with the aim of making common cause vis-à-vis the obscurantist ideology of some Deobandi/Salafi clerics.

The SIC and MWM, are apprehensive of certain proscribed organisations and their allegedly close relationship with the PML-N in the Punjab’s hinterlands, forcing them to make a common political cause.

Also, Qadri did not approve of the killing of Salman Taseer and bore scathing criticism and vituperative ranting of Barelvi clerics but did not budge from his views.

The Barelvi clerics and JUP leaders complained of preferential treatment to Deobandis since the Zia years owing to their role in the Afghan Jihad but mainstream Sunni leaders were never keen on this role as they were against having private armies and outsourcing of Jihad in the presence of a formidable and fully capable professional Pakistan Army.

The Barelvis are not against Jihad, as their opponents allege, but they very much oppose the idea of privatisation of Jihad by non-state actors that is against the wishes of the head of state.

Bushra Siraj

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, September 14th , 2014