Commenting on the Peshawar school attack, Jamaat-i-Islami Pakistan Secretary-General Liaquat Baloch has said murderers, terrorists and enemies of humanity don’t deserve any concession and the law of the land calls for the execution of their death sentence after completion of trial and other legal formalities.
Talking to the media after leading the Friday congregational prayers in a mosque in Lahore, he reportedly said death sentence was implemented all over the world as it created a sense of respect and sanctity of law in society.
He said the death sentence granted to terrorists and saboteurs was opposed to indirectly help the criminals under pressure of a specific lobby working for foreign masters.
Mr Baloch said the decision of the prime minister and the army chief to enforce death sentence to all those whose cases had completed all legal requirements should be implemented.
The JIP leader said the rulers should realise their lapses and try to make amends, adding that the people in power and the national leadership should firmly resolve to defend the country’s ideology and the constitution.
He said the turn of events had given a chance to the rulers and they should review the policies being followed since 9/11 and decide the national priorities keeping in view supreme national goals.
Meanwhile, Youm-e-Dua and Istighfar (day of prayer and penitence) was observed all over the country for the martyrs of the Peshawar tragedy on the appeal of the JIP Amir Sirajul Haq. The imams and khatibs in their Friday addresses at mosques also condemned the massacre of young students at the Peshawar school and said that perpetrators of this heinous crime could not be called Muslims as Islam is the religion of peace and tolerance.
Special prayers were made for peace in the country, national unity and for the Peshawar martyrs.
The JIP chief in his Friday address at the Mansoora mosque said the martyrdom of children was a big tragedy not only for Pakistan but the whole Muslim world, adding the history failed to present its precedent even during the notorious and tyrannical era of the Tatars.
He also announced cancellation of the JIP rally in the Punjab capital on 21 December and its public meeting at the Mazar-i-Quaid in Karachi on 25 December because of the Peshawar tragedy.
Mr Haq emphasised that the solution of terrorism and lawlessness lay only in the enforcement of Shari’ah which provided solution to all human problems. He said the Holy Qur’ān has declared that life lies in qisas, but our rulers, under the pressure of the Europe Union, had abolished death sentence due to which the country had become a centre of mischief. He called for strict implementation of the Islamic articles of the constitution to meet challenges, and said there was no need to consult the US or the western powers on this issue.
The JIP chief said it was the responsibility of the state and not any individual to enforce the sentences announced by courts. He said it was the prerogative of the heirs of a deceased and not the state to grant pardon to murderers. The president, the prime minister or the state could simply try for a reconciliation or compromise but they did not have the right to grant pardon to a criminal.
JIH Strongly Condemns
Peshawar School Attack
Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Omari, Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, while expressing deep sorrow and grief, has strongly condemned the killing of over 140 innocent persons, mostly children at a school in Peshawar of Pakistan.
The Jamaat chief said those responsible for the savagery and their intensions are inhuman and hateful.
He further said that in a country like Pakistan, the majority of people have faith in Islam, the Qur’ān and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him). Islam prohibits wrongful murder and calls for protection of human life. Execution of such barbarity, therefore, in Pakistan adds more to our grief.
The Jamaat leader said that whatever reasons offered by the brutal culprits for their savagery cannot be acceptable. He added that the Peshawar attack of 16 December may be called revenge, but this barbaric act cannot be justified.
The leader of the Islamic organisation offered a selfless and brotherly advice to the people of Pakistan: Holding the Book of Allah strongly and making the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) as guide, they should strive for the development and progress of the country and community and resolve issues and problems in their light. Success and salvation are in the obedience of Allah and the Prophet.
The Jamaat Amir also expressed sympathy with the families and relatives of the slain children and prayed for patience and strength.