ISLAMABAD: Reiterating that there has been no change in the Khatm-e-Nabuwwat [finality of Prophethood] clause, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal Thursday sounded the alarm that some elements want to achieve their ‘hidden agenda’ by causing strife [in the country] on the basis of religion.
Interacting with a group of reporters in Islamabad, the minister remarked that some elements were trying to cause strife on the basis of the Khatm-e-Nabuwwat clause issue. “The enemy is focusing on dividing the nation on the basis of religion,” he added.
Iqbal said that even legal experts had verified that there had been no change in the Khatm-e-Nabuwwat [finality of Prophethood] clause of the Elections Act 2017, and added that no one could even think about changing this clause.
The interior minister said it was saddening to see allegations levelled against former law minister Zahid Hamid who, according to him, had ensured that the error was rectified as soon as it was pointed out.
The sit-in at Faizabad interchange, between the twin cities, was started by a religious group against the amendment made to the finality of Prophethood declaration.
Although the ‘clerical mistake’ was corrected, a protest was carried out with the demand for the removal of Zahid Hamid from the position of law minister.
The Islamabad High Court had given an ultimatum to the protesters to end the sit-in. However, since the interchange was not cleared, an operation was conducted by the Islamabad administration, which drew a violent reaction from the protesters.
As a result, protests and clashes took place not only in the federal capital, but also in other parts of the country. Protesters also caused damage to public installations. The sit-in was finally called off and protesters dispersed after their main demand – of law minister resigning – was fulfilled.
