Bill to amend ATA 1997 violative of HR, 26th Amendment, says Fazl

ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan (JUIP) Ameer Maulana Fazlur Rehman said on Monday a bill introduced in the National Assembly for amending the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 would negate the 26th constitutional amendment.

He was addressing a ceremony in Wakefield, UK, organized by the JUI-UK chapter, according to a press release, issued here. He said as per amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, keeping any individual in detention for a period of 90 days would be violation of human rights, observing that the constitution also provided protection of rights.

He recalled that Pakistan Army was also given many powers in 2010, but the menace of terrorism could not be rooted out. The JUIP chief pointed out that Islam ensured safeguarding individuals’ right to protection of life, property and honour. “Legislation in all democratic countries of the world is executed while keeping in view these three rights,” he added.

The Maulana made it clear that his party supported a strong army for a strong Pakistan. He said Pakistan could not make progress without enforcement of Shariat laws and putting an end to interest-based banking and economic system. He said a clause of 26th amendment provided for doing away with interest-based economic and banking system by January 1, 2028.

He said that in an Islamic state, both Muslims and non-Muslims had equal rights. “Lives and properties of non-Muslims are as sacred as those of Muslims,” he added. Fazlur Rehman said that Muslims could be reasons for ‘Fasad’ and lawlessness elsewhere in the world because they have faith in all prophets and their holy books.