PESHAWAR: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl has asked the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-led provincial government to accept its negligence in terrorist attack on Army Public School and College and resign immediately.

A joint declaration issued after ‘Universal Peace and Denni Maddaris’ conference which was organised by JUI-F here on Thursday expressed reservations over 21st Amendment which paved the way for establishment of special military courts.

The declaration said that terrorism on the basis of ethnic and linguistic basis had been provided protection in the Constitution. It said that ulema and religious parties had serious reservations over military courts and the government did not allay concern of big majority over the amendment in the constitution. Around 400 ulema and head of seminaries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and tribal areas attended the conference.

Reading out the declaration, JUI-F provincial chief Maulana Gul Naseeb Khan said that ulema condemned raids on mosques and seminaries and demanded of the federal and provincial governments to stop victimisation of religious circles in the country.

He said that government should honour the agreement, signed in 2010 between interior ministry and Madressah Boards, and stop harassment of students in the name of compilation of record of seminaries.

Instead of harassment and victimisation of particular segment of society, the government should work out comprehensive strategy for the eradication of militancy and extremism from society, the HUI-F leader said. He alleged that well-planned propaganda campaign had been launched against religious parties, seminaries and ulema while real culprits were being provided protection.

Condemning attack on the school in Peshawar and killing of innocent students and staff members, the declaration said that the tragedy brought entire nation on one platform, but division was created through 21st Amendment. The conference demanded fair investigation into the bloody incident and bringing the real culprits to justice.

The declaration said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government should accept its failure and resign forthwith. It said that big powers had patronised extremism and terrorism in South Asia, Middle East and Central Asia to protect their interests and occupy natural resources in the region.

For the purpose, Kalashnikov culture was promoted that resulted in militancy, but foreign powers especially western countries were linking terrorism with Islam and Muslims, the declaration said. It said that seminaries were educating students and promoting tolerance in society.

Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2015

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