Case to be lodged against JUI-F's Mufti Kifayatullah for 'speaking against army': Sheikh Rashid

Published December 29, 2020
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid has announced the filing of a case against JUI-F leader  Mufti Kifayatullah. —  DawnNews/TV
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid has announced the filing of a case against JUI-F leader Mufti Kifayatullah. — DawnNews/TV

Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Tuesday said a case will be registered against Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Mufti Kifayatullah for "speaking against" the Pakistan Army, saying his invective was not tolerable.

The minister was apparently referring to recent comments made by Kifayatullah during a TV talk show, in which he said "generals too should be held accountable for their theft".

"It has been decided to lodge a case against Mufti Kifayatullah in Lahore," Rashid told 24 News HD. "The language he used against our great army which has given countless sacrifices is not acceptable."

While talking to Geo News, he said action will be taken according to the Constitution and law against whoever "uses abusive language" against the armed forces.

At a post-cabinet meeting press conference in Islamabad, Information Minister Shibli Faraz too condemned Kifayatullah's remarks as "shameful", saying he appeared to be advancing India's agenda.

Faraz said leaders of the opposition Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) were saying things at their rallies that were similar to the Indian propaganda campaign against Pakistan.

Information Minister Shibli Faraz addresses a press conference. — DawnNewsTV
Information Minister Shibli Faraz addresses a press conference. — DawnNewsTV

He noted that the EU DisinfoLab had recently uncovered an Indian disinformation network operating to discredit Pakistan, target its economy and the armed forces, and spread terrorism and chaos in the country.

"The kind of disinformation campaign started by India, we are seeing similar things are being said from the platform of the PDM, whether they are in the form of Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz of Mufti Kifayatullah," Faraz said.

"This was a very organised campaign aimed at maligning the state of Pakistan, weakening the country and creating chaos whose replay or actual version we are seeing in the form of PDM."

The minister said the government had taken "strict notice" of such statements and was also "monitoring" the situation, adding that the developments were not taking place in isolation.

"We are getting reports on everything such as who is linked to Hussain Haqqani [and] who is advising whom," he told the media.

Terming Kifayatullah's remarks as "shameful", Faraz said the JUI-F leader through his comments was only pleasing the "enemy" because whatever was said in Pakistan was run as "breaking news" on India TV channels in a matter of moments.

"Willingly or unwillingly, you have become a facilitator of the actions of India which is our arch-enemy," he said.

Citing the decision of a group led by Maulana Mohammad Khan Sherani to separate themselves from JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Faraz said the PDM itself was suffering from divisions and so there was no chance of it succeeding to send the government home.

Opinion

First line of defence

First line of defence

Pakistan’s foreign service has long needed reform to be able to adapt to global changes and leverage opportunities in a more multipolar world.

Editorial

Eid amidst crises
Updated 31 Mar, 2025

Eid amidst crises

Until the Muslim world takes practical steps to end these atrocities, these besieged populations will see no joy.
Women’s rights
Updated 01 Apr, 2025

Women’s rights

Such judgements, and others directly impacting women’s rights should be given more airtime in media.
Not helping
31 Mar, 2025

Not helping

THE continued detention of Baloch Yakjehti Committee leaders — including Dr Mahrang Baloch in Quetta and Sammi ...
Hard habits
Updated 30 Mar, 2025

Hard habits

Their job is to ensure that social pressures do not build to the point where problems like militancy and terrorism become a national headache.
Dreams of gold
30 Mar, 2025

Dreams of gold

PROSPECTS of the Reko Diq project taking off soon seem to have brightened lately following the completion of the...
No invitation
30 Mar, 2025

No invitation

FOR all of Pakistan’s hockey struggles, including their failure to qualify for the Olympics and World Cup as well...