ISLAMABAD: While the management of Lal Masjid has been against the electoral process considering the democratic system as ‘un-Islamic’, it is ready to participate in any move to topple the incumbent government.

Justifying its stance, the Shuhada Foundation of Lal Masjid said the PML-N government should be deposed of, as it was a threat to the national security.

“The current government is a threat to the nation, to the members of religious circles and even it is challenging the status of our armed forces,” Shuhada Foundation spokesman Hafiz Ihtesham Ahmed told Dawn.

He added: “Taking part in the move to bring down such a government is not politics and it is also not part of being in the current political system of the country.”

He reiterated that Maulana Abdul Aziz had always said electing the rulers through elections was a flawed and failed system. However, going against this government is a justified move.

“They are a threat to the whole nation and are working against Islam by tightening the noose around the religious circles to please India and the US. We would like to support anybody who rises against these rulers.”

However, the central Shoora of Shuhada Foundation is expected to meet on Tuesday to finalise a decision regarding participation in the PTI protest.

Meanwhile, in a statement on Monday, the Shuhada Foundation said if a decision was taken, thousands of its members would attend the PTI dharna.

But Hafiz Ihtesham added that the PTI had not approached them to participate in the protest but “we would be part of it on a principled stance.”

When contacted, PTI spokesman Naeemul Haq told Dawn: “Lal Masjid people have not contacted us but we have extended invitations to all Pakistanis who want to end corruption in the country.”

Political analysts termed the indication of the Shuhada Foundation a move to show their presence in the city.

“As it is clear that they are ideologically against the political system, they might be thinking to create a space for themselves under this scenario,” said Amir Rana, the director of the Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies (PIPS).

“I think Lal Masjid can only act like a pressure group to get some respite from the government under the current scenario. They can only capitalise on the situation as long as Dr Tahirul Qadri is not a part of the dharna.”

Mr Rana said in the previous sit-ins, the key role was played by the workers of Pakistan Awami Tehreek, who belonged to the Barelvi school of thought, which resulted in the ouster of the Deobandi-based parties from the PTI sit-in.

However, with the absence of PAT in the November 2 protest, rumours have been doing the round that the Deobandi parties, who had been active in jehad in the past, would join the PTI protest.

Similar apprehensions have already been expressed by MNA Daniyal Aziz of the PML-N. Mr Aziz stated last week that the PTI was trying to woo jehadists as a huge grant had been given to them. He was referring to the financial support extended by the KP government to Madressah Haqqania of Maulana Samiul Haq.

Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2016