Minister for Information Pervaiz Rashid Monday said he had great respect for Ulema-e-Haq and had said nothing against religious seminaries.
Responding to a point of order raised by Maulana Attaur Rehman in the Senate, he said, “I have never talked about Azaan or Madaris.”
“Yes, I raised voice against Ulema-e-Soo, who have destroyed peace by inciting people to resort to terrorist activities and kill innocent citizens,” he said. “We have to fight against those who are threatening our lives. If sentiments of anybody are hurt, I apologize.”
Pervaiz Rashid said the words attributed to him were used for those who did not even spare Ulema, adding that he had made a general statement about educational curriculum. He asked whether it was wrong to talk against those who targeted mosques and Imambargahs and committed suicide attacks. The minister said, “We have forgotten to teach our children about love, brotherhood and friendship. Today places of worship, including churches, mosques, schools and Ulema are not safe in Pakistan.”
He said that he had talked about that education which pits Muslims against one another. “I am standing in your ranks to defend you. I cannot even think of talking against Azaan (Call for prayers). I only talked about misuse of loudspeaker.”
He said he had forgiven all those who had levelled baseless allegations against him and put his and his children’s lives at risk.
