Islamabad, The capital city of Pakistan is at halt and disrupted for almost two weeks by protesters belonging to Pakistani religious parties including- Tehreek-i-Khatm-i-Nabuwwat, Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLY) and the Sunni Tehreek Pakistan (ST) — who are calling for sacking of the Law Minister Zahid Hamid and a strict action against those behind the amendment to the ‘Khatm-i-Nabuwwat oath’ in the Elections Act 2017.
The protestors are mainly demanding the removal of Federal Law Minister Zahid Hamid and Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, Asiya Bibi’s execution, dismissal of cases against religious leaders, and the removal of clerics from the Fourth Schedule.
It is reported that the government team is currently in a negotiation process with heads of religious parties to bring an end to ‘Sit In’ protest but so far, nothing has been achieved even surpassing the deadlines.
A government offer to send the law minister on leave is already bluntly rejected by heads of religious parties. A number of options are being offered for calling off the strike but nothing fruitful has been achieved so far.
Islamabad High Court (IHC) has also taken a serious notice demanding a quick end to this sit in as its severely affecting the image and might also give a chance to scapegoat the elements of extremists and terrorist who might infiltrate back.
In a joint presser Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and Minister for State for Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Dr Tariq Chaudhry said the government wanted to end the sit-in peacefully through dialogue.
“We request them (protesters) to end their protest. The government has already rectified the error in the nomination paper for election and now there is no justification to continue the sit-in, which is causing great inconvenience and hardship to people of the twin cities,” they added.
They categorically said that firm belief in Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) as the last Messenger of Allah Almighty, is the fundamental part of Islamic faith, which was also an integral part of the Constitution.
They further said the matter had already been settled once for all and it should not be politicized, keeping in view its sensitivity now that the error in the Electoral Reforms Bill-2017 had been undone.
Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said the government took prompt action after identification of the mistake and rectified it by summoning a special session of the Parliament.
The question of interference of religion in politics has become a non issue for some countries but Pakistan; an Islamic state based on Islamic ideologies puts a hefty responsibility on our Politician’s shoulders to be extremely careful dealing crisis like this and always make sure to deal such issues with peaceful dialogue and mutual consensus.
Yasir Aziz
Correspondent , Overseas Tribune.
Warsaw, Poland.
