KARACHI: Jamiat Ule­ma-i-Islam-Fazl chief Mau­lana Fazlur Rahman has said that in today’s world no change could come through military force, but through the power of people and that is why the JUI-F is striving under a parliamentary system in the country.

The JUI-F chief expressed these views while speaking at a function held at Qasr-i-Naz. Nazeer Alam, a Christian bishop, annou­nced he was joining the JUI-F at the event.

The JUI-F chief said the country could survive only under a democratic and parliamentary system and the JUI-F was striving to have its say in the affairs of the state through the parliamentary system.

Welcoming the decision of Bishop Nazeer Alam to join the JUI-F, Maulana Fazl termed it a good omen for the unity of the country and humanity and said that the teachings and messages of the Prophets could not be restricted to any particular religion.

The JUI-F chief said that his party was not against the rights of minorities, but striving to get them their rights.

“My own father during his ministry in KP did not allow late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s government to nationalise missionary schools and ordered the government schools to bring the quality of education there up to the level of missionary schools.”

He said freedom was not the right only of Muslims, but the birthright of all humans and in an Islamic state peace and rights of all people without any discrimination ought to be protected.

Maulana Fazl said Bishop Nazeer Alam’s joining the JUI-F would strengthen the mission of his party.

Bishop Alam pledged to serve the country and promote democracy from the JUI-F platform.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2017