ISLAMABAD: The Special Committee of the [NA] which is discussing the question of the status of the Qadianis, and the Steering Committee which had been set up by the Special Committee … were proceeding with their work on the basis of completely unanimous decisions, and it was expected that they will finish their work “within a very reasonable time”.

Disclosing this at a Press conference here this morning [July 14], the Law and Parlia­m­entary Affairs Minister, Mr Abdul Hafeez Pirzada, appealed to the people that while the highest democratic institution in the country was seized of the matter they should not allow themselves to be influenced by voices being raised in isolated quarters to build pressure or asking for a boycott of the Qadiani community as … this would be totally unjustified, against the principal of natural justice and the Constitutional provisions which guaranteed fundamental rights … of all citizens, and against the spirit of Islam.

Besides, this course of action would also damage the national image abroad. He said the Special Committee … had unanimously accepted the … recommendation to let the heads of the two Jamaats of the Qadianis submit their statements. — Islamabad Bureau

Published in Dawn, July 15th, 2024