Forcibly converting people un-Islamic, says Imran

Published February 14, 2014
PTI chief Imran Khan. — File photo
PTI chief Imran Khan. — File photo

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Friday said forcibly converting people to Islam was a violation of Quran and Sunnah, DawnNews reported.

He was speaking in relation to the recent pronouncement of the Pakistani Taliban against Ismailis and the Kalash, a polytheistic people living in the picturesque Chitral Valley in northern Pakistan.

In a 50-minute long video released on Feb 2 on the TTP media wing's website, the Pakistani Taliban announced an “armed struggle” against the Kalash and Ismaili Muslims. The narrator warned the Kalash, who are thought to number only 3,500, to convert to Islam or face death.

Speaking on the subject today, Khan said harassing and threatening ordinary people and forcing them to convert was in violation of Islamic principles, adding that PTI had the utmost respect for all sections of the public and acknowledged their contributions in the country's progress.

The PTI chief further said that the violence prevailing in the country should come to an end, adding that the state should fulfill its responsibility of safeguarding the life and property of members from all sections of society.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.