Islamic Solidarity Council, a recently revived alliance of different politico-religious parties, in its cabinet meeting rejected Sindh Assembly’s adopted Criminal Law Protection of Minority Bill, 2016 and decided to protests against it.
The meeting held with provincial chief Mushtaq Ahmad Khan in chair at Al Markaz Islami, Peshawar, on Thursday. The meeting was attended by council’s provincial secretary general Syed Mohammad Noor Ul Hussain Gillani and other representatives.
Talking to this scribe, Mushtaq Ahmad Khan said that council has rejected the Sindh Assembly’s bill, which, according to him, is not only un-islamic and unconstitutional but is also contrary to the basic human rights. The council has requested to Sindh governor reject the bill.
The council decided an opposition to the bill through friday sermons throughout the country from December 9, 2016. The council’s components and affiliated groups were also directed to raise voice against the bill at each and every level.
Mushtaq Ahmad Khan further said that the council has welcomed the National Assembly Standing Committee’s unanimous resolution, demanding Islamic education as compulsory subjects from Primary up to Intermediate classes in all over the country. In this connection, the council directed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Senior Minister Inayat Ullah Khan to ensure a unanimous response towards the resolution from the assembly and cabinet.
The Islamic Solidarity Council was formed when the US led allies became united on war against former Soviet Union in Afghanistan in late 1970’s. Later, after empowerment of Taliban, the council was again revised for opposing US led allies in what its leader call acts against Taliban regime in Afghanistan.
Six of its components later converted into Mutahida Majlis Amal (MMA) sweeping 2002 general elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan. However, the alliance dissolved before completion of its parliamentary terms due to hostilities between Jamaat Islami and Jamiatul Ulema Islam-F (JUI-F).
Mushtaq Ahmad Khan has confirmed that JUI(F) is not part of the revised council but he is also uncertain about position of Jamiatul Ulema Islam -S(JUI-S) headed by Maulana Sami Ul Haq.