By IANS,
Islamabad : Pledging to build Pakistan according to the aspirations of poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal, President Asif Ali Zardari said Tuesday this could be best achieved by refusing to let armed militants impose their interpretation of Islamic thought and morality through guns and bullets.
“This indeed is the best tribute we can pay to Allama Iqbal today,” Zardari said in a message on Iqbal’s 71st death anniversary Tuesday, APP reported.
Zardari said today, as never before, Iqbal’s message had been misunderstood as some elements were using force to deprive the people of their hard earned freedom and independence.
“It is because in the country envisioned by him, Islam has been ruthlessly exploited by some extremists who want to capture political power and thereby dictate their political and moral agenda on the people through the use of force in the name of Islam,” Zardari maintained.
“This is a complete negation of Allama Iqbal’s understanding of Islam and his vision of Pakistan. It cannot be allowed; it will not be,” the president added.
Zardari’s reference was to a resurgent Taliban that has served notice of its intent to impose Sharia laws across Pakistan following their enforcement in Swat and six other districts of the restive North West Frontier Province (NWFP) collectively known as the Malakand and over much of which their writ runs.
In his message, Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani said Iqbal’s vision can guide the people even today in their quest for progress and prosperity.