Pakistan’s politicians and Islamic scholars have hit back at religious party Jamaat-e-Islami chief Munawar Hassan for terming slain Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Hakeemullah Meshud as ‘martyr’. They have asked him to withdraw the controversial comments and asked government to try him for treason.

Islamabad, Nov 12/Nationalturk – Pakistan’s religious party Jamaat-e-Islami chief Syed Munawar Hassan is under fire from country’s politicians and Islamic scholars for terming slain Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Hakeemullah Meshud as ‘martyr’.

“Munawar Hassan declared a known terrorist, mass murderer, proclaimed offender and chief of banned TTP Hakeemullah Mehsud (now dead) as a ‘martyr’. He denounced, mocked, insulted and denigrated the sacrifices of our great martyrs of the armed forces, civil armed forces and thousands of innocent citizens of Pakistan. Munawar completely discounted the bloodshed of innocent Pakistani citizens, including women and children, and issued loathsome, preposterous and illegal statements with aim and object to ridicule and scorn the sacrifices of our great martyrs who lost their lives to save the lives of millions of Pakistani citizens in the monstrous and ruthless terrorist attacks carried out by the banned outfits, including TTP and its allies,” reads a legal notice served by Pakistan’ opposition party PPP through its political advisor Chaudhry Fawad Hussain to Jamaat-e-Islami chief Munawar Hassan.

PPP to file petition in Supreme Court

Fawad said PPP has decided to file a petition in the Supreme Court seeking suo motu action against the Jamaat chief for his disrespectful remarks.

“I will also file a petition in the Election Commission of Pakistan under the Representation of People’s Act (1976) to seek cancellation of Jamaat’s registration,” he was quoted as saying by Pakistan newspaper, The Dawn.

Fawaz said he had served the legal notice in his individual capacity, but PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had also asked him to file a plea in the Supreme court against the controversial remarks made by Hassan.

On Nov 1, Hakimullah Mehsud, chief of TTP, was killed in a US drone strike in the North Waziristan tribal region and was labelled by Munawar Hasan and Fazlur Rehman — the chiefs of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl)  — a ‘martyr’.

Hassan’s comment has drawn criticism from almost all sections of society with people, including politicians, religious leaders, civil society members and former army men asking him to apologise and withdraw his comments.

‘Hassan has insulted sacrifices of security forces’

Awami National Party (ANP) senior leader Afzal Khan Lala said Jamaat-e-Islamic chief Munawar Hassan and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Fazlur Rehman have belittled the sacrifices of security forces by saying their martyrdom was unjustified.

“Both religious parties’ leaders had rubbed salt in the wounds of those who had lost family members due to militancy,” he said.

Another ANP leader Mian Iftikhar said Hassan has betrayed the nation and Supreme Court should take suo motu notice of his remarks.

“Sticking to its statements about the army tantamounts to targeting institutions and it would further increase the divide on key national issues,” he said.

Swat’s Nepkikhel Aman Jirga president Idrees Khan demanded Hassan withdraw his “fatwa” wherein he declared terrorists ‘innocent martyrs’ and insulted Pakistani soldiers martyred in the fight against militancy.

“Hassan’s statement had hurt the sentiments of the nation. Declaring Hakimullah Mehsud a martyr is highly condemnable because he has killed thousands of innocent Pakistanis and even claimed responsibility for it,” he said.

He asked government that if Hassan does not withdraw his statement, it should ban Jamaat-e-Islami in Pakistan.

Try Jamaat chief for treason: Sunni group

Sunni Muslim group – Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) has termed Jamaat-e-Islami chief’s statement as treacherous and asked the government to try him for treason.

The Islamic scholars held a meeting under the chairmanship of SIC president Sahibzada Hamid Raza. In the meeting, it was demanded that country’s Supreme Court should hold Munawar’s trial for treason.

Sunni Ittehad Council also asked Jamaat-e-Islami to remove Munawar from his office and force him to withdraw the controversial statement.

“We will launch a movement against him if he did not retract his statement,” the scholars said adding slain TTP chief Hakeemullah Mehsud, who was Pakistan’s Most Wanted Terrorist, cannot be termed as ‘martyr’.

Ex-army men term remarks treacherous

Pakistan’s ex-army men under the banner of Pakistan Ex-servicemen Association (PESA) have strongly condemned the statement of Jamaat-e-Islami chief Syed Munawar Hassan.

“Hassan’s remarks are not only condemnable but also treacherous. His statement actually strengthens the hands of Pakistan’s enemies,” read PESA statement.

It said Hassan’s statement asking how those helping the Americans fighting in Afghanistan could be called martyrs is absolutely irrelevant and misleading as no Pakistani soldier is fighting America’s war in Afghanistan.

“Hassan’s statement is meant to strengthen the enemies of Pakistan, demoralise and malign Pakistani troops who are fighting terrorism. He has made himself liable for trial under Article 63 (1)(g) of the Constitution of Pakistan,” added the statement.

The Pakistan army has also taken strong notice of Jamaat chief’s remarks and termed it insult to sacrifices of soldiers and civilians in fight against terrorism. “Jamaat chief should withdraw his statement and apologise,” an army spokesman had said.

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Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk Pakistan News