The chief of Jamiat Ulema-E-Islam (JUI-F), Maulana Fazlur Rehman, welcomed the strategic defense agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Thursday, saying that the agreement “marks the beginning of the joint defense of Islamic countries.”
When heading to a meeting at the end of the Paz march of Sindh in Karachi, Fazl said the new bilateral pact between Islamabad and Riad reflected the need for a shared security strategy.
“This defense agreement is in line with our ideology and manifest and marks the beginning of a common defense strategy for the Islamic world,” he said, urging Muslim states to identify and eliminate obstacles to unity.
The Jui-F chief said the agreement should galvanize the Muslim nations to resolve their differences and present a united front. “Now both countries must step forward and lead the Islamic world according to their capacity,” he said.
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Fazl also welcomed recent dialogues in the Arab and Islamic world, including the Doha Conference, describing them as early but necessary steps towards greater unity. “The Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha was a positive beginning for Islamic unit. The expectations were high, but it was a step to build an Islamic block,” he added.
Remembering his long -standing call for a united block between Muslim states, he said that unity was fundamental for the manifesto of his party. “I said a week ago in a rawalpindi rally that Muslim countries should form a block. Until Muslim states stop fighting each other, the world will keep them moderate,” he said.
The Chief of Jui-F framed his group as a voice for the broader UMMAH, saying that the movement is not only for Pakistan but also for reasons that include Palestine and Al-Quds. “Jui-F is the voice of the Ummah, Palestine and those who have sacrificed for al-Quds,” he told the followers.
Returning to Palestine, he reiterated that Pakistan has long sustained that Israel’s presence in the Palestinian land is illegitimate. He urged a strong posture in support of Palestine on each platform. He warned any form of flexibility or commitment, would only strengthen Israel’s position.
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Fazl also praised the activists who joined the humanitarian convoy to Gaza, saying that he greeted the Pakistani who participated in flotles and promised their efforts represented to the nation. “Some of our young people joined the flotilla to Gaza, we greet them. They represent the concern of our nation,” he said.
He praised the participation of the march of the Peace of Sindh and criticized the security situation in parts of the country. “From one end of Sindh to the other we celebrate a peaceful march. I want to point out that there is no real peace in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa; in Baluchistan, people are collected and made to disappear,” he said, and added that Jui-F had raised his voice against the injustices in Quetta.
He also warned of obstacles to the campaign of his party, but said his fight would continue to be peaceful. “Obstacles are being placed on our way, however, our peaceful struggle continues. When you play voice to people, you will see how Islamabad can be peacefully occupied,” he said.
He closed reaffirming the position of his party about religious and national questions, saying that Jui-F would continue to defend what he sees as the interests of Pakistan and the UMMAH.
