LAHORE: The Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) has decided to participate in a soon-to-be-held grand tribal moot sponsored by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) to discuss the FATA situation and search out ways and means for restoring peace.

This was announced by JI chief Syed Munawar Hassan at a joint press conference with his JUI-F counterpart Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Saturday

Rehman visited Mansoora- the JI headquarters in Lahore- to invite the JI leadership at the All Parties Conference (APC) scheduled for Feb 28 in Islamabad.

Speaking to media representatives, Syed Munawar Hassan said the prevailing law and order situation called for a decisive dialogue with the Pakistani Taliban for restoration of peace. He said the government’s attitude of ignoring the offer of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and taking it as a sign of weakness was the worst example of indifference.

The JI chief said the federal as well as the provincial governments have failed to discharge their duties, therefore, the national leadership should step forward for restoration of peace in the country.

He said the country was facing terrorism and lawlessness, adding the whole nation wanted to get rid of terrorism at the earliest. The menace of terrorism had also given rise to the problems of price hike, energy crisis, unemployment and more, he said.

Hassan appreciated Fazlur Rehman’s peace efforts and accepted the Islamabad moot invitation.

To a question, he said the JI had recommended the name of justice (retd) Nasir Aslam Zahid as caretaker prime minister and added that now it was for Leader of the Opposition in NA Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to meet the prime minister and ensure the formation of caretaker setup.

Speaking on the occasion, Maulana Fazlur Rehman informed that the FATA tribes have formed a “Grand Jirga” for restoration of peace, and the Jirga had expressed the desire to meet national leaders for putting forth their proposals.

He said law and order was the biggest issue in the country. Houses are being demolished and innocent people are being killed in drone attacks, said the JUI-F chief. If the national leadership did not step forward, someone else might take the lead for selfish interests, he added.

The JUI-F delegation also included Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Maulana Attaur Rahman, Maulana Amjad Khan and Riaz Durrani.

JI deputy chiefs Dr Muhammad Kamal, Sirajul Haq, JI Secretary General Liaqat Baloch, and JI KP chief Prof Muhammad Ibrahim Khan were also present on the occasion.