Shah blasts govt for giving open terrorism ‘sectarian color’

By: Salman Alvi

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: Syed Mazhar Ali Shah advocate, Secretary General of the Tehreek Nafaz-e-Fiqh-e-Jafariya, has said that worst type of terrorism at the holy shrine of saintly personality Hazrat Bari Imam in the most sensitive area situated near the Presidential Palace and Prime Minister House during the stay of American Deputy Foreign Minister and Indian delegation in the Federal Capital Islamabad provides food for thought and is condemnable. 

He was talking to a delegation of TNFJ Regional Council Rawalpindi that called on him at the head of Hojjatul Islam Wal Muslimeen Allama Abul Hassan Taqi here on Tuesday. He expressed his astonishment that the terrorism act took place at a time when Quaid-i-Millat-i-Jafariya Agha Syed Hamid Ali Shah Moosavi was about to address a holy religious gathering and the blast took place soon after the announcement of his address. As a result of this blast, he said, dozens of innocent Azadaran and Zaireen were martyred while about 150 of them were injured who are still lying in different hospitals for treatment.

Syed Mazhar Ali Shah said Tehreek Nafaz-e-Fiqh-e-Jafariya showed practical display of patience and firmness despite that great an incident proving that we not only keep love with religion, motherland and its people but we always strive for unity, brotherhood, peace and tranquillity. He said had we desired, we would have ignited not only Islamabad but also the whole Pakistan but history stands witness that we always kept the interests of the motherland alive. 

He said contrary to this posture, six innocent persons were burnt alive in reaction to an incident of terrorism at Madina-tul-Ilm mosque in Karachi that indicates that some powers still exist in the country that do not desire to see Pakistan strengthened. He said the contrary statements of some Ministers tried to add fuel to the fire after the acts of terrorism in the Federal Capital and the economic jugular vein of the country i.e. Karachi and were still trying their utmost to give these acts of open terrorism a sectarian colour. Is this activity on the part of these Ministers is motherland friendly? He asked. 

He said they should have resigned if they have even a bit of honour left in them. He said they were issuing these statements on the pointation of some powers, who should keep in mind that God forbid, if sectarian conflicts began then Pakistan would not survive. Therefore, he added, the ruling elite should avoid issuing such statements that are tantamount to adding fuel to the fire and are beneficial for the combined enemy.

The TNFJ Secretary General reminded that when Pakistan came into being, everyone including Sunnis, Shias, Barelvis, Deobandis, and Ahle Hadis had proved through their deeds that we only followers of Islam and this country was not achieved in the name of any group or sect rather in the name of Islam which has been defended since its inception by all sects like a concrete wall and would continue thwarting every enemy through their mutual unity. 

He said those who talk about sectarianism are enemies of Sunnis, Shias, Brelvis, Deobandis, and Ahle Hadis. The whole world has not only condemned the Bari Imam incident but also condoled it but the rulers and politicians are merely busy in defeating one another. Visiting the TNFJ headquarters is a separate issue, they did not even uttered two words of condolences. He said some Ministers visited the injured in hospitals after passage of four days of the incident but directed the hospitals to get rid of the injured instead. As a result of which Chairman TNFJ Political Cell had mentioned some unseen hands in discharging even those injured who still needed medical attention. He said the silence on the part of government is meaningful, perhaps she desired anarchy after this incident so as to confirm their rule. 

Mazhar Ali Shah said President Musharraf should have respected the Anti-Terrorism Act enforced by himself and should take notice of its non-implementation. Two weeks have passed to Bari Imam incident but none of the criminals was arrested so far, no Tribunal was formed, no compensation was paid to the bereaved families of the martyrs or to the injured. 

He reiterated his resolve to give priority to the interests of religion, motherland and its people over all other things and said the whole nation would support any call given by Quaid-i-Millat-i-Jafariya Hamid Moosavi. He said when the Tehreek had given first line of action, the Secretariat was taken over leading to 8-month long agitation in which all schools of thought and even the minorities had expressed solidarity with us. He expressed the hope that the government would not put herself and us to any big test.