Pakistan's new national narrative to ban kafir fatwas, slash column of religious identity from CNIC
NACTA has crafted new national narrative.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News)- After putting ice on composition of much-needed contemporary national narrative in the wake of terror menace for nearly two decades, Pakistan’s policy makers have finally compiled guidelines to crush terrorism once and for all. It would be implemented after formal approval of Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
According to documents available with Roznama Dunya, the new national narrative has been prepared by Interior Ministry’s subordinate department National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) stating only state can declare jihad (war).
According to details, the new law bars individual and groups from issuing Kafir fatwas (to label someone unbeliever) or tagging someone as apostatized. Religious scholars would be compelled to promote interfaith harmony on basis of shared ideas whereas there would be complete ban on public gatherings under the umbrella of Nafaz-e-Shariat (implementation of Islamic laws).
Likewise, strict and immediate action would be taken on charges pertaining to blasphemy and provocative speeches. A suggestion has also been proposed to only lodge case in aforementioned regard on the recommendation of (would-be) committee comprising members from law enforcement agencies, national and provincial assemblies, religious schools of thoughts and minority’s communities. Constitution would bar individuals or groups from taking law into their hands.
Similarly, stringent punishments have been proposed for those who would actuate groups or individuals to murder someone merely on suspicions of blasphemy or would hurl wrong allegations.
Those madrassas (religious schools) involved in providing militancy training would be closed with immediate effect while madrassas would also be included in process of devising provincial curriculum. It would be mandatory for madrassas to seek formal permission from provincial or federal governments before receiving foreign funding.
Charity organizations would be bound to get register and update their records.
In bid to promote national harmony, the column of religious entity from Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC), passport or any other official document would be slashed.
No one would be allowed to create armed groups or private militias while state would guarantee foolproof security of all minorities.
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) would craft rules in collaboration with all other departments concerned to tackle and suppress extremists’ narratives. PEMRA would also initiate action to regulate religious channels.
Published in Roznama Dunya, 18th December, 2017
