ISLAMABAD, May 21: The Milli Yekjehti Council, a non-political grouping of religious and political parties, has been revived and former Amir of Jamaat-i-Islami Qazi Hussain Ahmed has been elected its chairman.

The council, which was formed in 1995 with late Maulana Shah Ahmed Noorani as chairman and was replaced by the MMA in 2000, adopted a 17-point charter which vows to end sectarian hatred and ensure capital punishment for blasphemy.

The decision was taken at a seminar on “Unity of Ummah, Islamic solidarity” convened by Qazi Hussain Ahmed at a hotel here on Monday.

There were reports that the seminar might decide to revive the MMA, but a majority of its founders, including Maulana Fazlur Rahman, Prof Sajid Mir and Maulana Samiul Haq, did not turn up and, therefore, the decision to revive the MYC was taken.

The JUI-F was represented by Hafiz Hussain Ahmed. The JUI-S and Jamiat Ahle Hadith were not represented.

Qazi Hussain told reporters that the MYC was being revived with the objective of ending sectarianism and promoting religious harmony. It will work in line with principles which led to formation of the MMA and recognise the role of the Defence of Pakistan Council.

Reading out the charter signed by ulema of different sects on April 23, 1995, Qazi Hussain said: “All schools of thought and parties fully agree to the 22-point agenda signed by 31 leading ulema about sectarian harmony and enforcement of Islamic system in the country”. He said the MYC would not accept anything other than capital punishment for blasphemy.