Jamat-e-Islami chief says special courts’ proposal was accepted under ‘pressing compulsion’
Flanked by Jamat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq during a visit of members of the National Assembly Opposition’s political jirga to Army Public School and College Peshawar, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Rehman Malik expressed the jirga’s willingness to talk to those militants “who are ready to lay down their arms”.
Addressing a press conference, Malik demanded government to award the martyred students with the highest civilian award, adding that the martyred children had united the nation. Those responsible for the attack should be brought justice, he said.
Only those Taliban are “zaliman” who are involved in suicide attacks and killing of children, said Malik. He held that during the meeting of parliamentary parties, the matter of special rather than military courts was talked about. It will be ensured that the courts are not used to settle political scores, he added.
“Afghan refugees are our brothers but presence of terrorists in their camps will not be tolerated,” he said, adding that it is time for Afghanistan to hand over within 24 hours all those behind the Peshawar carnage including Tehreek-e-Taliban leaders and Mullah Fazlullah, whom Malik called the “ring leader of terrorists in Pakistan”.
Talking to reporters, the JI chief said, “It is hard for us to allow special courts but there was no other option with the government to ensure speedy trials.” These courts will function within the ambit of the constitution for a fixed time period and the accused will be given the opportunity to defend themselves, said Haq. He opined that military courts provide an interim solution only.
Lauding the sacrifice of the people of Peshawar, Haq prayed that the coming year would bring peace.
JUI KP URGES GOVT TO STOP RAIDS ON SEMINARIES
In the meanwhile, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (KP) Thursday urged the government to stop raids on religious seminaries, assuring that caretakers of seminaries would cooperate with the state agencies to curb terrorism. The raids have disturbed the students of the seminaries, said JUI KP chief Gul Naseeb Khan, adding that action against terrorism should be taken without any discrimination.
