The controversial remarks of Ameer Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), Syed Munawar Hassan, declaring the dead terrorists as martyrs were condemned by the Pakistan Army. The army has sought an apology from Jamaat's Ameer. Following a TV interview of Munawar Hassan, a spokesman for Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) termed his statement highly irresponsible and misleading, saying declaring the dead terrorists as shaheeds is an insult to the martyrs- thousands of innocent Pakistanis and soldiers of Pakistan's armed forces.
It further said that Hassan had tried to invent a logic based on his political convenience. Strong condemnation of his views from an overwhelming majority leaves no doubt in anyone's mind that all of us are very clear on what the state of Pakistan is and who are its enemies, it added.
The sacrifices of our martyrs and their families need no endorsement from Hassan, the ISPR statement said, adding such misguided and self-serving statements deserve no comments.
However, coming from Ameer of the Jamat-e-Islami, it added, a party founded by Maulana Maududi, who is respected and revered for his services to Islam, is both painful and unfortunate.
"The people of Pakistan, whose loved ones laid down their lives while fighting the terrorist, and families of shuhada of armed forces demand an unconditional apology from Munawar Hassan for hurting their feelings. It is also expected that JI should clearly state its party position on the subject," it maintained.