RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: Syed Shujaat Ali Bokhari, Additional Secretary General of Tehreek Nafaz-e-Fiqh-e-Jafariya Pakistan, has demanded from the government to remove the unrest found amongst Maktab-e-Tashayyo by implementing the May 21, 1985 agreement aimed at resolving the Shia problems.

He stated this while addressing an important emergent meeting of Regional Council TNFJ Rawalpindi office-bearers here on Friday. He said for the progress and prosperity of the motherland Pakistan which is an ideological State, it is obligatory for rulers not only to defend and protect the rights of the people but also avoid any slackness in doing so.

Agha Moosavi addressing Press Conference 1984-1985

He said Pakistan enjoys the honour of being created through the joint struggle of all recognised schools of thought, then 31 ulema prepared 22 points jointly but these are placed in books only and are not implemented. Later, in Ayub era when Maktab-e-Tashayyo was pressed, we raised our voice for achievement of our rights, then separate Deenyat (Islamic studies) curriculum was implemented in Bhutto era.

Huge protest during Hussaini(as) Mahaz (Agitation for Shia rights in Dictator Zia ul Haq reign--1984-1985)

He said Ziaul Haq took over the reign of power in a coup, and announced to make Pakistan a particular State in violation of Basic Ideology the consequences of which are still being confronted by the nation. He said reacting to Gen. Zia’s announcement, TNFJ took over the Islamabad Secretariat as a result of which an agreement was reached with Gen. Zia but this agreement was never implemented.

Bokhari said TNFJ organised peaceful agitation again in which thousands of Sunnis, Shias and even Christians courted arrest on Tehreek’s call and we are thankful to them all even today. He said an agreement was reached with Junejo government on May 21, 1985 on 11 Shia demands that included separate Deenyat curriculum for Shias and separate Shia Auqaf Board.

Overseas Pakistanis protest during Hussaini(as) Mahaz (Agitation for Shia rights in Dictator Zia ul Haq reign--1984-1985)

All these demands are not only legal and correct rather are in line with the Constitution because in Article 8 of Chapter 1 of Part-II of the 1973 Constitution, it is written “Any law, or any custom or usage having the force of law, in so far as it is inconsistent with the rights conferred by this chapter, shall, to the extent odf such inconsistency, be void. The State shall not make any law which takes awy or abridges the rights so conferred…”

In Article 20 of the same Chapter under the topic of ‘Freedom to profess religion and to manage religious institutions’, it has been written “Subject to law, public order and morality ---- every citizen shall have the right to profess, practice and propagate his religion; and every religious denomination and every sect thereof shall have the right to establish, maintain and manage its religious institutions.”

Protest during Hussaini(as) Mahaz

Similarly, in Article 22 under the topic of “Safeguards as to educational institutions in respect of religion, etc” it has been written that “no person attending any educational institution shall be required to receive religious instruction, or take part in any religious ceremony, or attend religious worship, if such instruction, ceremony or worship relates to a religion other than his own…. No religious community or denomination shall be prevented from providing religious instruction for pupils of that community or denomination in any educational institution…”

Moreover, in Article 25 under the topic of ‘Equality of Citizens’ it has been written that “all citizens are equal”.

The TNFJ Additional Secretary General asked President Pervez Musharraf that whether all these Articles of the Constitution are being implemented? If not, why? If Constitutions of Pakistan was implemented then the situation in Northern Areas would not have worsened where schools and colleges are closed down and students are being beaten up sending a wave of unrest and anarchy in these areas.

He appealed the President of Pakistan that to develop, strengthen and stabilise Pakistan, he should declare it a must that whereas rights of all schools of thought should be taken care of on the basis of equality, there the rights of Maktab-e-Tashayyo should be given forthwith under the Junejo-Moosavi agreement because Maktab-e-Tashayyo has equally rendered sacrifices in creating Pakistan and play equal role in protecting and defending the country and would prove a defensive wall in defending the country even in future, but no more injustice now, he added.

He said if rights of all schools of thought are given on the basis of equality then not only the country would be put on road to progress but its dignity and honour would also increase further and it would become the best example for other States.

Syed Shujaat Bokhari expressed his concern that at present the world of humanity, particularly the oppressed nations and the Islamic World are confronted with oppression, brutality and suppression, aggression of the international Taghoot is increasing the day in and day out and the situation has reach to the extent that not only the holy places but also the Mashaheer-e-Islam and religious books, particularly Holy Quran are being desecrated openly, Pakistan that was created in the name of Islam and is an atomic power is being humiliated through derogatory cartoon. In this situation, he said, the practical unity and brotherhood of the oppressed and the Islamic World was the need of the hour.