Sunni Tehreek to take on Talibanisation: Qureshi

Sunni Tehreek to take on Talibanisation: Qureshi

* Foreign minister says national consensus developing against terrorism
*Says government to convene grand Ulema convention over Taliban issue

MULTAN: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Sunday the Sunni Tehreek had decided to activate itself against Talibanisation in the country.

Addressing the last session of the Hazrat Shah Rukn-e-Alam national conference at the mausoleum of the renowned saint on the last day of the 695th anniversary, the foreign minister said that a national consensus against terrorism was emerging across the country.

He said, “We will not surrender to the forces harming the interests of the country and distorting the image of Islam”.

He said a national consensus had come about and was now attaining shape as a consequence of the evolutionary process against extremism and terrorism.

He said that people and organisations, who earlier differed, are converging now for Pakistan, for the rule of the people and constitution, to protect democratic norms, and to save the federation.

The foreign minister said the Sunni Tehreek had decided to activate itself against Talibanisation in the country.

Clerics’ convention: Qureshi said the government would convene a grand consultative meeting of clerics from across the country to seek their guidance. He said the two major political parties of the country were unanimous against fanaticism and terrorism, adding that this would encourage people and enhance their passion to fight the menace.

An overwhelming majority of people in Pakistan have love for their religion but not for the kind of Islam the Taliban are trying to impose in Dir, Buner and other troubled areas of the country, he said. Unlike the way of the sufis and saints who won the hearts and minds of the people, miscreants want to impose their misguided, extremist views by force, he added. He said the sufis and saints had also played crucial a role in raising awareness among the people during the movement for Pakistan.

The foreign minister said the armed forces were playing a very important role and troops were sacrificing their lives to defend the ideology of Pakistan, and to save the country from internal and external threats.

He said Pakistan is an important country of 180 million people and a responsible nuclear power, adding that it was capable of countering any threat. All we need to do, he said, is to stay united without plunging into hopelessness, and be ready to counter challenges with a renewed resolve and courage.

Commenting on statements by US officials regarding the civilian government, the foreign minister said, “I want to ask the world why they deserted Pakistan and Afghanistan after the former USSR’s withdrawal [from the region] and why they stopped supporting democratic forces when dictatorships were imposed on the country.”