Arrests, Browbeating, Threats and Government Tactics Cannot Shake Resolve and Courage; The Arrest of Mufti Owais Aziz and Qari Iftikhar Is Condemnable and They Should Be Released Immediately: Senator Maulana Abdul Wasey

QUETTA (Daily Qudrat): JUI Balochistan Provincial Ameer Senator Maulana Abdul Wasey and Provincial Secretary General Agha Mahmood Shah, strongly condemning the arrest of JUI Islamabad Ameer Mufti Owais Aziz and Deputy Ameer Qari Iftikhar, have said that the government has resorted to petty tactics, arrests and browbeating and threats against political opponents, which is contrary to democratic values, constitutional rights and political freedoms.

They said that Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam is an ideological, democratic and peaceful political party whose struggle is for the supremacy of the Constitution, the rule of law and the protection of the people’s basic rights. The government should keep in mind that the morale of JUI leaders and workers cannot be lowered through arrests, pressure, browbeating, threats and retaliatory actions, nor can the path of our principled stance and political struggle be blocked.

They said that efforts to bring peaceful political struggle leaders and workers under pressure by arresting them are a manifestation of the government’s panic and political intolerance. Respect for the Constitution and law should not be considered our weakness. JUI will under no circumstances withdraw from its constitutional, legal and democratic rights and will not accept any unconstitutional and illegal action against its leaders and workers.

The provincial leaders demanded that Mufti Owais Aziz and Qari Iftikhar be released immediately and the series of retaliatory actions, arrests and unnecessary pressure against political workers be stopped. They made clear that government coercion and undemocratic measures will be confronted through constitutional, legal and peaceful democratic struggle, and JUI will stand with its leaders and workers at every level.

They appealed to all JUI workers to maintain complete discipline in the current situation, avoid provocation, refrain from any irresponsible action and await the central leadership’s instructions. They said that the workers’ unity, perseverance, patience and party discipline are our real strength. JUI will continue its struggle for the protection of its rights, political freedoms and democratic identity while remaining within the ambit of the Constitution, law and democratic principles, and government pressure and tactics cannot weaken our resolve.