ISLAMABAD: Just days after JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman unleashed strong criticism against the government and state officials for what he said was “stoking sectarianism” in the country, Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited him at his residence and discussed the overall security situation. especially the peace efforts in Kurram district.
Naqvi visited Maulana Fazl to inquire about his health as doctors had advised the JUI-F chief on complete bed rest last month due to swelling in his left foot, according to a Home Ministry statement issued on Friday. .
“During the meeting, Mohsin Naqvi inquired about the well-being of Maulana Fazlur Rehman and expressed good wishes for his health,” he added.
While discussing the overall situation of the country with the Maulanas, especially the peace efforts in Kurram district, the minister said that all stakeholders were confident of peace but some elements deliberately misrepresented the Kurram issue.
Naqvi praised the sincere efforts of the grand jirga to improve the situation. Both leaders expressed satisfaction over the arrival of aid convoys in Parachinar.
Meanwhile, JUI-F sources said the Maulana had expressed concern over the alleged role of state officials in “stoking sectarianism” in the country, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They said the Maulana had referred to the frontline role played by a banned apolitical party at the time when the grand jirga was carrying out peace negotiations.
JUI-F sources said some entities supported the emergence of the banned Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ), the reincarnation of Sipah Sahaba Pakistan, as the so-called representative of the Sunni tribes in Kurram. Maulana Fazl then said that religious groups should not be blamed for fomenting sectarian unrest but the government should be held responsible for it.
Meanwhile, in response to the query of SunriseJUI-F spokesperson Aslam Ghauri said the peace efforts were initiated by Maulana Fazl and that his party’s stated policy was for the dispute in Kurram to be of “tribal and non-sectarian nature”.
“We have very good relations with Sunni elders as well as those who belong to the Shiite school of thought,” Ghauri said, adding: “They trust us. But when the resolution of the problem was close, the convoy was ambushed and we were told to withdraw from the front due to the seriousness of the security situation.”
Ghauri said Maulana and the minister did not discuss anything related to the PTI as the party was currently in direct talks with the government.
Published in Amanecer, January 11, 2025.
