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JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Photo: File
ISLAMABAD:
JI and JUI-F leaders have expressed serious reservations about Pakistan’s potential participation in Trump’s proposed Peace Council, demanding that the government not send Pakistani forces to Gaza.
A meeting was held between JI chief Hafiz Naeem and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman in Islamabad during which the leaders of the two religious parties discussed the Peace Council, the current wave of terrorism and the law and order situation in the country.
Speaking to the media after the meeting at his residence, Fazl said the Peace Council meeting scheduled for February 19 bypassed the United Nations and Pakistan’s participation would be inappropriate under any circumstances.
He also said it was unacceptable for Pakistan to be part of the International Stabilization Force (ISF) proposed to be established under Trump’s Gaza plan.
He urged Islamic countries to refrain from participating in the meeting, adding that world powers were mocking Palestinians while Pakistan’s leaders were participating in it.
He warned that if the government insisted on what he called “American subjugation,” he would be prepared to launch a public movement against it.
He announced that a large-scale public campaign would begin after Eid-ul-Fitr and that the JUI-F had scheduled a million-strong march in Mardan on April 12.
The Maulana further said that sending troops to Palestine would effectively put Pakistan on the side of Israel. He also called on Afghanistan to cultivate better relations with Pakistan.
Hafiz Naeem said he had in-depth discussions on national and international issues with Fazl. He noted that Pakistan had accepted membership and an invitation to participate in the Peace Council, and expressed concern that the government might send troops to Gaza.
He stressed that Pakistan should not be part of such a force and should avoid engaging in any conflict that could harm Pakistan or Afghanistan. He added that if the government did not reconsider its decision, it would mobilize the public in the coming days.
