No plans to crack down on seminaries, says Ijazul Haq

Staff Report

LAHORE: The government is not considering any crackdown on seminaries as it respects religious institutions and scholars, Ijazul Haq, federal minister for religious affairs, said on Sunday.

Addressing a seminar titled “Ittehad-e-Millat” organised by the Ziaul Haq Foundation, Haq said that no seminary was involved in sectarianism and terrorism. Clerics were performing their role in building the nation according to the teachings of Islam. He did not believe that seminaries were involved in anti-Islamic activities.

Haq said that around one million students were studying in seminaries and they would have become beggars if the seminaries had not accommodated them. He said that European countries should focus on their own foreign policies instead of criticising Pakistani religious institutions.

Haq said that it was true that candidates backed by the ruling Pakistan Muslim League were using state machinery in their campaigns.

“I have informed the chief election commissioner and Punjab chief minister about the unlawful activities of government-backed candidates. The Election Commission should take immediate action against those who are violating the Code of Conduct,” he added.

He said that trade relations with India could not improve without a peaceful solution to the Kashmir issue and the international community should press India to stop genocide of innocent Kashmiris and withdraw its forces from the Valley.

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