Opposition leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Sunday said that the religious alliance was in contact with the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) to form a Grand National Alliance (GDA) for launching a joint struggle against the military rule. "The movement against the government is not getting momentum as we are awaiting the decision of ARD in coming meeting to start a joint struggle for the restoration of real democracy and getting rid the country of one man rule," he remarked in response to a query of journalists after a seminar at Peshawar Press Club.
The title of the seminar was "The role of religious and political parties in the promotion of peace and tolerance." He said that the joining of ARD in the observance of black day call on the invitation of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) which was clear sign that both the alliances were agree on some points to restore democracy in its real shape.
Regarding 17th amendment was now part of the constitution like other amendments. "We are human beings and if we have committed any wrong we are ready to correct it and in this connection we have proposed to the opposition parties to constitute a constitution review committee which could look into all the amendments made so far and change all those not good," he said.
Earlier speaking at the seminar organised by Salaam-Movement for peace and development of Pakistan, Rehman said that Muslims were being presented as extremists and terrorists while Islam negates extremism and terrorism in all its shapes and forms. "There are 40 extremists and terrorists organisations alone in America besides Christians, Jewish and Hindu organisations but no name it," he said. He said that it was unjust to say "Muslim extremists."
He said that Islam advocates peace, tolerance and tranquillity not among the Muslims but asked Muslims to respect other religions and their worship places. He said that terrorism was a crime in every religion and every society.
"There is a dire need of dialogue among nations and civilisations to differentiate between terrorism and independent movements," he said. Kashmiris and Palestinians, he said, were struggling for their fundamental rights but they were being dubbed as terrorists.
He said that a warrior was setting on the country's highest political position which demanded moderation. President of Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians NWFP, Rahim Dad Khan said that a particular class known as establishment was ruling the country and it did not want people's unity and people's rule over them. "These elements is now trying to create situations that could serve their interests," he said. He said martial laws were the main cause of promoting intolerance in society. "Whenever a military dictator took over power militancy increased in the country," he said.
Khan said peace and harmony could not be restored until all political and religious parties could unitedly struggle to get rid of the military influence in democratic institutions.
Awami National Party (ANP) leader and former chairman of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Afrasiyab Khattak said that dictatorship was the real cause of intolerance. "Whenever democracy is getting roots in the country martial law is imposed in the country," he said. "The general are warlords and they use the language of warlordism and until political wing in the ISI is abolished democracy could not flourish in the country," he said. He said during the cold war the interference of some foreign powers in our country's affairs introduced Kalashnikov culture and after that people used the language of gun in politics instead of reason."
"International interference in our country had criminalised our society," he said. Khattak said that all the political parties should form a code of conduct for themselves and chalked out a joint strategy despite their differences and get rid of the generals. He said that cordial relations should be established with all the neighbouring countries.
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