Religious outfits demand apology from Pak. Minister

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, FEB. 16 The military Government in Pakistan is on a confrontation path with the religious and militant outfits over the recent statements of the Interior Minister, Lt. Gen. (retd) Moinuddin Haider, on forceful collection of funds and display of weapons in the name of jehad (holy war).

Even as all the major religious and militant organisations have demanded an unqualified apology from the Minister for his alleged `un-Islamic' utterances, the Jamaat-i- Islami took the matter to court seeking the removal of the Minister for `violating the Constitutional provisions'.

It would be an acid test for the Musharraf regime in the next few days. Its actions would be watched, particularly in the Kashmir point of view. It has to be seen whether Gen. Musharraf would defend his Minister or not.

The outcome of the petition filed in the Lahore High Court would be of great interest. Citing several provisions of the Constitution, the petition argued that Quran and Sunnah oblige Muslims to wage a `jehad' and the Minister has violated the spirit of the Constitution. The nature of challenge faced by the Government was once again evident from the sharp reaction of the newly-formed `Defend Afghan Council'.

The Council, a conglomerate of 30 odd religious and political parties, has demanded immediate removal of the Interior Minister for his statements.

At a convention attended by representatives of 32 religious and political parties, the Council has not only condemned the statements of Lt. Gen. (retd) Haider, but vowed to continue fund raising campaign all over the country.

In another report, a popular Urdu daily has said that the Minister's statements has evoked strong reaction from the people and they have started pouring money into donation boxes of these outfits.

``According to sources in Al-Badar and Harkat-ul Mujahideen, people are now directly approaching offices of these outfits to give donations apart from calling on telephone to encourage mujahideen'', the paper said.

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Section  : International
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