LAHORE: Various religious parties have rapped the government’s decision of taking over assets of the banned Jamaat-ud-Dawa (Jud) and its welfare wing Falah-e-Insaniyat Foundation (FIF).

Jamaat-e-Islami emir Sirajul Haq, JUP’s Dr Abul Khair Zubair, Jamiat Ahle Hadith’s Ibtesam Ilahi and Hafiz Abdul Gaffar Ropri, Jamhoori Watan Party’s Shah Zain Bugti, and defence analyst retired Maj-Gen Rahat Lateef and others are of the view the government went against “national interest” by promulgating the new presidential ordinance for curtailing JuD.

They feared the new law would ultimately help the enemies of CPEC and the country’s nuclear programme.

Mr Haq opposed the seizure of the welfare projects of both the JuD and FIF when “none of the entities were found involved in any illegal activity”. He added the US and India would not be satisfied by the move and call for more action.

Dr Zubair, who is also Milli Yakjehti Council president, said the government should have proved allegations against the two bodies in a court of law before taking the action. He recalled that India could not prove any charges against Hafiz Saeed.

Mr Lateef said the government had failed to counter anti-state propaganda and was active against the entities that extended excellent services during natural calamities across the country.

Ex-federal minister and PML-F leader Muhammad Ali Durrani feared the step would hurt the common people, who were already denied education and health facilities.

Difa-e-Pakistan Council’s Prof Makki alleged Washington and New Delhi wanted to silence the voices that exposed foreign conspiracies against Pakistan’s interests.

Published in Dawn, February 16th, 2018