PAT, MQI jointly launch Zarb-e-Aman (Peace Initiative)

Pakistan Awami Tehreek and Minhaj-ul-Quran International have formally launched countrywide ‘Zarb-e-Aman’ (peace initiative) for elimination of terrorism and extremism. The formal announcement to this effect was made by Chairman MQI Supreme Council Dr Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri during his address to ‘Rahmatul Lil Alameen Conference’ held in Peshawar. The mothers of martyred schoolchildren of APS tragedy namely Mubeen, Huzaifa, Asfandyar, Abdullah, Hassan Zain, Gul Sher, Afnan, Shomail, Najiyal, Raaz-e-Elahi, and Zain Iqbal were also present on the occasion.

Addressing the Conference, Dr Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri said that the mothers of fourteen martyrs in Model Town have suffered brutalities of terrorism like the mothers of children of APS Peshawar tragedy. He said that Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri and his workers have resolved to rid Pakistan of terrorists and their sympathizers. He said that if the quality of justice system and governance was not improved, the benefits of Operation Zarb-e-Azb will not be able to stay intact for a long time. He said that the whole nation gave the rulers an overwhelming mandate to eliminate terrorism on December 16, 2014, adding that hardly had tears of the grieving mothers been wiped that the politicians started sabotaging the Nation Action Plan.

Dr Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri paid rich tributes to the mothers of martyrs of APS for their courage and bravery. He said that economic terrorism has a deep connection with armed terrorism. He said that infection of the armed terrorism stays because of provision of relief to the economic terrorists.

Sharing the details of the peace initiative, the Chairman of Supreme Council said that one million peace ambassadors will be appointed. He said that the students will be sensitized about scourge of terrorism and extremism through debates, conferences and seminars, adding that propagation of pro-peace curriculum is also part of the initiative. He said that we have launched a signature drive under which one million students will put their signatures on the peace resolution. He said that flawed concepts of terrorists and extremists will be rebutted at intellectual and scholarly levels in the light of teachings of the Holy Quran and Sunna.

Dr Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri said that this peace initiative is being launched worldwide. He said that we would make it known to the world through teachings of the Holy Prophet (PEACE BE UPON HIM) that Islam is a religion of peace and those committing acts of terrorism in the name of Islam have nothing to do either with Islam or the Prophet of Islam (PEACE BE UPON HIM). He said that we are of the considered opinion that unless ills of justice system are fixed, oppression will not end and social evils such as corruption, nepotism, and bribery will continue to rule the roost. He said that patriotic, educated and honest people will not be able to enter high echelon of political power and terrorism will continue to grow. He said that Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri authored historic Fatwa against terrorism and Islamic Curriculum on Peace and Counter-Terrorism but the rulers gave him the ‘gift’ of 40 fake cases and 14 dead bodies.

Dr Hassan said that Dr Qadri and his followers are true soldiers of Islam and would not be deterred by these cases. He said that the time has come that this movement of propagation of peace should be extended to every nook and corner of the country and the homeland is purged of terrorists, extremists and their sympathizers. He made it emphatically clear that Zarb-e-Aman is purely intellectual and scholarly movement. He said that we would make Pakistan hub of peace by persuading the youth to acquisition of knowledge.

MWL President Ms. Farah Naz, Gulshan Irshad, Ayesha Qadri, and Kalsoom Tufail also spoke on the occasion.