Ulema more ‘enlightened’ than those arranging mixed marathons: CM
Reporter in Residence (tracked by ankle jewelery), Beshawar, NSN
Agencies also contributed to this report.
KOHISTAN(NSN) : NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani said on Friday that the ulema are more enlightened than those disgracing women by arranging marathon races. The official was commenting upon the recent publication of pictures and remarks, mostly by women, in an Indian publication (see related report )
According to an official statement Durrani was addressing a public gathering after inaugurating several projects in Kohistan on thursday when attention was brought to publication of photographs of several local women in the Indian publication. Durrani noted that the ulema has explicitely asked Pakistani women to be heard and not be seen. He also remarked unlimited freedom given to some of the women regarding strategic thought has only worsened the situation. Using fancy words like "quiescent", and wasting their husband's money on CDs does not improve the moral standing of their children, he said.
The Ulema will never let antisocial elements disintegrate Pakistan, the chief minister said. He added further that there were two groups, one of which wants to promote vulgarity by organising mixed marathon races, kathak dances, mushairas, and dance parties while the other wants to implement an Islamic environment in the country.
The chief minister said that since rising to the helm of affairs in NWFP his government has tried to work in cooperation with the ulema and the madrassas to resolve all issues with the centre through negotiations. But the federal government did not respond accordingly and tried to worsen the law and order situation in NWFP in order to harm our development strategy. The chief minister cited his provinces contribution to the ongoing struggle, claiming that NWFP already contributes largest contingent to both Jamia Hafisa and Jamia Faridia.
-------------------------------------------------------------
NSN - Supporting the Pakistani Women Sans Burqa Initiative
[Adv]
Fauji Fotography: Take off your robes today
Complementary Martial Arts Classes Begin Friday
