ISLAMABAD: Chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman
has said that Kashmir issue was the biggest hurdle between India and
Pakistan to normalize their ties.
“For the past 60 years, the
Kashmir issue has kept us walled off economically from India, and other
South Asian countries.” Maulana told while interviewing an
international magazine on Saturday. He suggested that Pakistan should
have good relationship with its neighbor countries.
“Our
relations are no better with Afghanistan, which prefers India and is
the key to accessing Central Asia. We abandoned the Iran pipeline
because of America. We’re begging for access to European markets for
our goods, but we should prefer our neighbors first, then the Islamic
world, and then anybody else” Maulana added. When Maulana was asked
was the Pak Army an obstacle to peace with India, he said that the army
was still the most powerful institution of the country and their
opinions still respected.
“Despite having a
democratically-elected government, it is the Army that’s engaged with
foreign powers. Maybe this also suits the interests of the president
and prime minister. When the Army faces difficulties, like they did
after Abbottabad, they come to Parliament for cover.
But their
grip on politics is still so tight that I can’t say democracy here is
strong or free from fear. I say the Army should not be afraid of giving
up control, their opinions and suggestions will still be heard.”
Maulana said.
JUI chief suggested that neither India nor
Pakistan were serious about Kashmir issue. “The establishments of both
countries can’t stretch this out any longer because an unbearable
situation could arise that neither country will like.” Maulana said.
On a query of Abbottabad Operation, Maulana said that Al-Qaeda chief
was a man of war, and his death was certain but US raid was violation
of Pakistan sovereignty. “We are in the dark. Someone killed at war
isn’t dear to me, but the sovereignty of Pakistan is.” JUI chief said.
In response a question about “Toheen-e-Risalat” law, Maulan said that
it was a sensitive matter and nobody should give Pakistan to make or
change its laws. “It is strange when the Pope tells us to remove this
law. Who is he to intervene in our matters? If any changes have to be
made to these laws, religious scholars and institutions should not be
bypassed.” He suggested.
When asked about the threats to Pak
nukes from the United States, he said nuclear assets were is safe hands
whilet world powers were busy to spread propaganda against it. “America
and its allies are not afraid of Israel or India’s atomic bomb but they
are of ours. It’s wrong to claim that our nuclear weapons are unsafe
because of terrorists. They are for sure unsafe from the hands of
America.” Maulana added. Online
