Minorities being dealt with as per Constitution: Qadri

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Noorul Haq Qadri informed the Senate on Friday that the government, as alleged by JUI-Fazl, had no soft corner for Qadianis and was following the Constitution while dealing with the minorities.

Responding to questions, during the question hour, by JUI-Fazl Senator Maulana Attaur Rehman and Sirajul Haq of Jamaat-e-Islami, the minister said no concession had been extended to Qadianis in terms of visa issuance or air tickets.

Senator Atta had alleged that while Haj costs had been increased massively, concessions were given to Qadianis.

The minister noted that the state of Pakistan and the Constitution had declared Qadianis a minority and they were being treated accordingly.

“What has been said here is just a figment of imagination,” he said.

Senator Siraj had asked about the progress made over the years with regard to implementation of the Shariat Act, 1991.

The minister said the government had desire for an early implementation of the act and that it had been repeatedly referring to the State of Madina.

“We will remain away from our objective of creation of Pakistan, unless we make progress towards revival of the Islamic system, free of interest etc,” he emphasised.

He said all the state entities had been alerted on implementation of the act and Paigham-e-Pakistan document, carrying signatures of some 900 leading religious scholars of all schools of Islamic thought was the way forward for promotion of religious harmony and inter-faith amity.

The document, he noted, had barred all from declaring anyone kafir or liable to be killed and under the narrative Ulema teams would undertake visits of churches, gurdwaras and temples and religious scholars from minorities would be invited to visit and interact with masajid and imambargahs.

Replying to questions by Senators Sirajul Haq and Mushtaq Ahmad of JI, Minister for Law and Justice Dr. Muhammad Farogh Naseem said some 1,298 cases were under progress in seven regional bureaus of the National Accountability Bureau due to further search of documents.

About the stages of these cases, he explained that 967 were at the stage of determination of the crime and accused person (s) and the remaining 331 at the stage of collection of evidence and filing of references in the courts.

The minister confirmed that there was a case pertaining to NAB filed by Broadsheet LLC vs. Government of Pakistan in Chartered Institute of Arbitration, London and an appeal was pending with the High Court of Justice, England.

However, he pointed out that there was currently a confidentiality agreement signed between the NAB and Broadsheet, which restricted disclosure of contents pertaining to the matter.

“In addition, the subject appeal is sub judice before the High Court of the Justice in England and it is therefore under the judicial consideration. Public discussion in the interest of Pakistan is to be avoided,” he said.

The minister said privately he was prepared to share information with the legislators, if they so desired or he could brief them in an in-camera session but making the information public would not serve Pakistan in any way.

Senator Mushtaq had asked whether it was a fact that NAB had been awarded penalty of $21 million by the London Court of International Arbitration in the Broadsheet LLC case.

He had also asked the purpose of hiring and details of terms and conditions laid down in the agreement between NAB and Broadsheet, indicating the grounds on which the agreement was later terminated.

To another question by Senator Siraj, the minister said from 2014 to 2018, out of 1413 cases, the NAB had concluded 61 investigations through plea bargain after the approval of accountability courts concerned and this was contrary to the impression that majority cases were ‘decided’ under plea bargain, as only 4.32 per cent cases were completed through plea bargain.

To a question, Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan told the House that a total of Rs125492623409 power dues were outstanding against the federal government, including the AJK, while Rs31323694805 was outstanding against four provinces.