ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Renowned religious scholar Allama Arif Hussain Wahidi has said that the recent violent protests in Gilgit-Baltistan have had no connection with the Shia community.
“There were some masked individuals who incited mischief, which institutions should thoroughly investigate,” he said in a statement, exposing PTI’s propaganda against Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. “We only believe in peaceful protest,” Wahidi added.
Giving an eyewitness account of the Scholars Convention, Allama Wahidi said the Field Marshal expressed regret over the violent incidents in Pakistan and said, “If Pakistan’s assets are burned, the enemy will be pleased”.
The scholar said: “After our religion and faith, Pakistan comes first for us, and we always stand with Pakistan and the Pakistan Armed Forces.”
He said that the protest over the martyrdom of the Supreme Leader, protesting was a matter of devotion, people were hurt and ashamed. But at some places, violence was observed, arson and destruction were seen.
“Our stance has always been that whenever a protest call is given by our leadership, it is stated that the protest should be peaceful. But obviously, at some places, emotional situations arose. However, at some places, we saw that some masked individuals had infiltrated, perhaps elements who liked violence, Wahidi said, adding “It is your [institutions] responsibility to inquire into this”.
Regarding Gilgit-Baltistan, he said the people in GB are extremely patriotic. “If you go and see the cemeteries there, you will find the bodies of Pakistan Army soldiers there, their graves are present, flags are hoisted on them, and they are patriotic. But what happened there, some people got angry and this whole situation occurred.”
“Violence will only harm Pakistan”
in a message to the youth of Pakistan, he said, “whenever there is a protest, it should be peaceful. There should be no kind of extremism, violence, or arson and destruction. This will only harm Pakistan.”
He vowed to protect the homeland first and make it a cradle of peace. He also sought a thorough investigation into the violence incidents adding an inquiry be held about those the masked individuals.
