'Pakistan using anti-terrorism laws against clerics'

Islamabad, October 12: The Pakistani government is using anti-terrorism laws against the ulema (religious scholars), Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F (JUI-F) chief Maula Fazlur Rehman has said. Religious semiries were being linked with terrorism. The clerics and students were the victims of anti-terrorism laws, Dawn online quoted Rehman as saying while addressing the Mufti Mehmood conference on Sunday. The JUI-F chief said semiries, mosques, beard and turban have become the symbols of terrorism. He said semiries were the forts of Islam where students were imparted the education of Quran and Sunh.

Rehman asked the government to refrain from taking action against religious institutions. He said his party would not tolerate action against clerics and religious institutions in the me of elimiting terrorism from the country.

The JUI-F chief said since the creation of the country, its economy, politics and democratic system were under the domince of the US and western powers. “The religious leaders and clerics will lead the struggle to free Pakistan from the influence of Uncle Sam and infidel powers,” he added. (IANS)