ISLAMABAD, May 7: The Lal Masjid administration rejected on Monday a decision by the local administration to construct four demolished mosques on alternative places and said the government was not sincere in resolving the contentious issues.
The mosque’s administration conveyed its reservations to Pakistan Muslim League president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain who visited the mosque on Monday night.
Lal Masjid Media Cell in-charge Abdul Qayyum told Dawn that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) had two days ago issued a notification saying that it had agreed to reconstruct four of total seven razed mosques on alternative places in their same localities. “This is the violation of an understanding reached between Lal Masjid and Chaudhry Shujaat a few days ago in which the two sides agreed on rebuilding of mosques at their same plots,” he said.
He said the Lal Masjid administration would not accept the notification, adding that the razed mosques should be constructed at the existing sites.
The PML chief told reporters after the meeting that the issue of mosques had been resolved and “sincere steps” had been taken to improve the situation.
“Whatever task was entrusted to me has been completed and I hope that all settled issues will be fully implemented. No ‘hidden hand’ will try to sabotage this initiative,” he said.
Jamia Hafsa and Lal Masjid deputy in-charge Maulana Abdul Rashid Ghazi said Chaudhry Shujaat had indicated that some ‘high-ups’ were trying to mess up the matters.
Earlier at a press conference, Maulana Gahzi said the government was giving a deceptive signal that tribesmen and terrorists would occupy the capital.
He said madressah followers would continue their struggle for the implementation of Sharia in the country to eradicate corruption, nepotism and bribery. “The Constitution allows us to make such demand and many government officials had agreed to this,” he said.
Maulana Ghazi said the government should not accept a proposal of Religious Minister Ejazul Haq to invite Imam Kaaba to give a decree on the Lal Masjid issue. “He should be invited for a major cause and not for a petty issue of Lal Masjid, and if he comes we will ask him to give his verdict on major issues,” he said.
