By Afshain Afzal
Post top leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Moulana Fazal Ur Rehman's revelation that he has been asked by military leadership to raise armed Lashkar (private armed Army) to fight insurgents on the border, entire social media and other official forums failed to give any coverage or importance if anything wrong or unconstitutional has been demanded from them. Apparently it seem quite normal to ask Pakistani citizens to help Armed Forces and Security Forces in foiling any attempt to disturb the law and order situation in the country. However, behind the curtains is conspiracy against religious leadership to project their involvement in gunrunning, raising armed militants and involvement in terrorism. Ironically, only his specific remarks gained momentum in entire social media and other forums and strongly condemned that soldiers are solely responsibility to fight at the border and it is not favour if they sacrifice their lives for which they are paid.
Since decades Pakistan had been complaining in International forums and to the foreign agencies that Pakistan religious groups have militant wings and there is their direct involvement in acts of terrorism. For the first time the religious leadership have come up with clean hands and proved that neither they were involved in such anti-state acts in the past nor under any pressure or influence they are going to illegally raise armed groups, for whatsoever purpose it might be. The religious leaders under Moulana Fazal Ur Rehman not only refused to raise private armed militants under their flag but also refused to go to the borders to launch armed resistance. With exception of certain commercial media channels and misled individuals, Pakistani nation is happy that there religious groups have learnt lessons from the past and will not indulge in any form of militancy weather it is state-funded and supported or external actors. Their refusal to fight as mercenaries on Pakistan-Afghanistan border and is worth appreciation as Pakistan must come up as a peace loving and law abiding nation in list of nations.
There can be no doubt that it is unlawful demand from the religious or political leadership as it is not their job to get involved in militancy or armed movement against any group. Pakistan has a proper legitimate government who can take care of law and orders situation as well as external threats. Pakistan Army is one of the best forces of the world and the security forces are second to none. Pakistani forces know their duties, responsibilities and obligations for which they are paid and well looked after. Hence, military or civilian leadership in Islamabad cannot allow any religious, political or other group to raise armed wings as it is constitutionally illegal and morally unacceptable.
Article 256 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan provides. "No private organisation capable of functioning as a military organisation shall be formed, and any such organisation shall be illegal." Similarly, through 21st Amendment in Section 2 of Pakistan Army Act 1952, military courts have been empowered to try civilians under the following relevant sections of the Act: Under such an environment, should the political and religious leadership present themselves as sacrifice goat?
(iii) Claiming or are known to belong to any organization using the name of religion or a sect: and
(a) attack any civil or military installations in Pakistan; or
(b) abduct any person for ransom, or cause death of any person or injury; or
(c) possess, store, fabricate or transport the explosives, fire-arms, instruments, articles, suicide jackets; or
(d) use or design vehicles for terrorist acts; or
(e) provide or receive funding from any foreign or local source for the illegal activities under this clause; or
(f) act to over-awe the state or any section of the public or sect or religious minority; or
(g) create terror or insecurity in Pakistan or attempt to commit any of the said acts within or outside Pakistan.
It is high time that the National Assembly of Pakistan as well as Provincial Assemblies of all the provinces to take note of unconstitutional activities that are happening under their nose, especially with regard to raising of armed militant wings in the country. Not only it is constitutionally illegal to do so but in case this happens Pakistan will be blacklisted, sanctions imposed and will tarnish her image in international community. It is time for the Pakistani parliamentarians to open their eyes and perform their responsibility to save Pakistan for chaos rather than listening to media campaigns full of mud slinging and insults. We must unite or hands to save our country and seek assistance from UNO where we feel helpless.