NOWSHERA: Chief of his own faction of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Maulana Samiul Haq has dispelled the impression that he had cordial relations with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, saying it was part of a propaganda campaign against him.

Addressing a meeting after Friday prayers at Akora Khattak, Maulana Sami said that he had actually friendly relations with the Mujahideen who had fought against Russia for independence of Afghanistan. He alleged that western media was trying to portray him as the friend of the proscribed TTP.

“We always pray for peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan and it is only possible when both countries have independent foreign policies. On the wish of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, I had started negotiations with Taliban to stop bloodshed in the country,” he clarified.

The maulana condemned the killing of innocent students in the Peshawar school and said that Islam didn’t allow the killing of children and women. 

He said that Darul Uloom Haqqania was never involved in terrorist activities and always condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

Published in Dawn December 20th , 2014