MARDAN, Aug 2: Awami National Party leader Azam Khan said Monday’s deportation of Maulana Fazalur Rehman from the United Arab Emirates proved that the noose was tightening around religious leaders in the world.

Speaking to reporters at the residence of late Colonel Abdul Jabbar Khan Hoti after offering condolences to relatives of the 95-year-old first commandant of Punjab Regiment Centre on Tuesday, he said that hatred and anger were mounting against religious leaders, particularly from Pakistan, and now even Muslim countries were not ready to permit them on their soil.

He recalled that earlier it was Jamiatul Ulema-i-Islam leader Maulana Samiul Haque who had been deported from Europe in a degrading manner. The latest round of humiliation was suffered by Maulana Fazl, he said.

Mr Khan expressed confidence that only progressive and nationalist forces could control the “militant elements” which were spreading hatred and killing others to serve their petty interests.

He criticized the passage of the Hasba bill in the NWFP assembly and said “this piece of legislation has no place in our society”.

He predicted the rise of nationalist forces in future and said “they were the only ones who could resolve the problems of Pushtuns”.

GEN IHSAN’S VISIT: The Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), Gen Ihsanul Haque, on Tuesday offered condolences to the family of Colonel Abdul Jabbar Khan during a visit to his house here.