QUETTA: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that those who trained youths in guerilla warfare and gave weapons in their hands should accept responsibility for the prevailing disorder in the country. He said religious seminaries should not be punished for their crimes.

Speaking to heads of seminaries, religious scholars and JUI-F workers at a gathering held at the Hockey Ground here on Sunday, he said targeting religious people and seminaries for crimes committed by others was a great injustice.

He said the JUI-F wanted to promote the rule of law in the country.

Maulana Fazl said those indulging in “politics of arms” were neither protectors of religion nor representatives of the Sharia.

He said religious people took pride in the history of the JUI which was replete with heroic deeds for the independence of the country.

He said his party wanted Islamic system in Pakistan and added that only ulema could guide masses in religious matters.

The JUI-F chief said his party represented oppressed sections of the society and it was the only party which could provide employment opportunities to the youth.

He said successive governments during the past 70 years had failed to give economic stability to the country, adding that during this period the country had been ruled by landlords and the elite.

“These people take part in politics only to promote their interests. They try to copy European models and never use their minds to find out what system suits Pakistan.”

He said corruption could be eliminated from the country if ulema were given a chance to run the affairs of the government. When ulema talk about different issues, people in the establishment and bureaucracy make fun of them. Only the leadership of the JUI-F could put the country on the right direction, he added.

The Maulana said the country was heading towards a new turn. “The slogan of Pak-China friendship is being raised for over the 70 years, but now this slogan is about to be translated into an economic reality.”

Deputy Chairman of Senate Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Leader of the Opposition in Balochistan Assembly Maulana Abdul Wasey, former governor Syed Fazal Agha and other JUI-F leaders were present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, March 6th, 2017