Only state has right to declare Jihad: Interior Minister

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal has said on that in an Islamic republic only the state holds right to declare armed Jihad.

Speaking in the national assembly, the minister said that only the state has the monopoly over use of force in an Islamic republic, and no citizen has the right to call for the killing of any citizen.

“The jihad rulings against one another in cities and villages will make this country a war zone,” adding, “enemy wants Muslims to kill one another. I request religious political leaders, clergy to denounce the Fatwas on social media.”

Iqbal announced that government will take action against individuals involved in hate crimes under cyber crime laws.

He said that no one has a right to raise questions over the faith of legislators who have signed on the declaration of Khatam-e-Nabuwwat on their oath.

“No one has a franchise to judge anyone’s faith. The terror incidents remind us that we need unity in this country,” Iqbal said.

In reference to the recent suicide terror attack which mercilessly killed 21 people at Jhal Magsi shrine, Iqbal said: “the terror incident once again remind us that unity among the nation is the need of hour”.

Earlier, the National Assembly unanimously passed amendments to the Election Bill 2017, restoring a Khatm-i-Naboowat (finality of prophethood) declaration required to be signed by public office holders to its original form.

The controversy had arisen when the ruling party had passed amendments to the election law earlier this week, with opposition parties claiming the bill moved by the government had also changed the contents of a form regarding belief in Khatm-i-Naboowat (finality of Prophethood), which is required to be signed by public office holders and election candidates.

The amendments passed were agreed upon by members of parliamentary parties after NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq had accepted the government had made a ‘clerical error’ and invited them to discuss the matter in his chambers.

During the meeting, the parliamentary leaders agreed to restore the declaration to the original form it was in before the National Assembly passed the Elections Bill 2017.