Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Fazlur Rehman on Monday asked Pakistani Taliban to “dwindle down” to ulema ranks by quitting armed struggle in the country. “By acting upon the unanimous decision of religious scholars, Taliban should quit armed struggle and come to the ranks of ulema along with continuing their efforts by remaining within the ambit of the constitution of the country,” the JUI-F chief said, adding, “Taliban in Afghanistan are carrying out an organised movement, while in Pakistan everyone has made the movement his own statehood,” Fazl said.
Addressing a press conference at the provincial secretariat of the party, wherein one of the stalwart of the PML-N, Inamullah Khan along with his colleagues from Upper Dir announced joining the JUI-F, Fazl said the Taliban struggle in Afghanistan was meant for freedom of the country which his party supported. “Earlier the Taliban government in Afghanistan was also accepted by the central shura of the party,” he added.
Fazl said bringing down the government before the Senate elections might benefit the JUI-F as well. The elections would give an edge to the PPP in the Upper House for the next five years and “that is why some elements for self interest want to derail democratic process”.
However, he added that the focus should not be on self-interest, saying the government should be given a chance to complete its constitutionally allowed time of ruling.
To a question, he said they were not in favour of armed struggle in Pakistan as all religious scholars hailing from various schools of thought had unanimously declared it illegal. “That is why Taliban should refrain from it.”
He said the war on terror was plunging the future of the country into darkness and it was imperative to implement parliamentary resolution to the effect.
Regarding the PML-N’s “movement” against President Asif Ali Zardari, he said both were tested once and whatever they said against each other was true.
Regarding the reinstatement of the MMA, he said there were contacts within the political parties but at the moment, noting was certain.
