Famed religious scholar Maulana Tariq Jamil has become the target of controversy after his comments on Pakistan’s political situation during an interview with a private news channel went viral.
Maulana Tariq Jamil listed what he claimed were demerits particular to Pakistani politicos. He said such was their avarice for power that they would cling to power at all costs. While admitting that the Tableeghi Jamaat tends to stay aloof from politics, he said his patriotism had left him with no option but to speak up.
He lamented over the horse-trading that took place before the controversial vote of no-confidence against former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Maulana Tariq Jamil said the government was formed by deceit. Without naming anyone, the religious scholar insinuated that the politicians laid the nation to waste over a few pennies.
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Needless to say, Maulana Tariq Jamil’s comments left Twitter divided as he sparked a mixed reaction on social media. The video clip from his interview is going viral.
Reaction to Maulana Tariq Jamil’s statement
PML-N in its riposte quoted the Holy Quran while retweeting his interview.
“O, believers! If some wicked person brings you any news, inquire thoroughly into its truth (lest) you should cause (undue) harm to a people unknowingly, and later feel regret for what you have done,” the verse tweeted by PML-N reads. Many comments under the PML-N post bashed the religious scholar.
یَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِن جَاءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌ بِنَبَإٍ فَتَبَيَّنُوا أَن تُصِيبُوا قَوْمًا بِجَهَالَةٍ فَتُصْبِحُوا عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلْتُمْ نَادِمِينَ@TariqJamilOFCLpic.twitter.com/hP8CYWT7Z0
— PMLN (@pmln_org) August 8, 2022
Moreover, those critical of Maulana Tariq Jamil’s statement claimed that as a religious scholar, he should refrain from commenting on Pakistan’s politics.
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On the other hand, PTI and its supporters condoned Maulana Tariq Jamil’s statements and voiced support for him while claiming that as a citizen of Pakistan, he too has a right to express his opinion. As a result, #WeStandWithTariqJamil has been trending on Twitter.
It is a rare thing in #Pakistan when a scholar gives statement against a sitting government. Glad that he found courage to state the obvious truth.Maulana Tariq Jameel Sahib is on the right side of history.#WeStandWithTariqJamilpic.twitter.com/usDZ9brawM
— Caption 🦋 (@Caption_Mastr) August 8, 2022
Important to note that Maulana Tariq Jameel has been an advocate of PM Imran Khan and has praised his work. Ex-PM Imran Khan shares cordial relations with Maulana Tariq Jameel. Pictures of them have circulated on social media several times.