The Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) should be given more powers to look after interests of Muslims worldwide, stated Sajjad Ali Shah, former Chief Justice of Pakistan.
"The OIC should play its role in developing a joint defence system, Islamic banking system and trade policies to further strengthen the Muslim countries which are currently not united; rather, they are in slumber," he said.
He added that post-9/11 events, especially the invasion of U.S. led coalition forces against Muslim countries called for the need to have a united Muslim world.
Shah was speaking at a function organised on Thursday by the Pakistan Association in Dubai as part of Pakistan's Independence Day celebrations.
A number of prominent Pakistanis and diplomats attended. Majeebur Rehman Shami, chief editor of Daily Pakistan, was one of the speakers.
Shah, who retired as Chief Justice of Pakistan in 1998 is one of the most famous judges in the history of Pakistan. He rose to fame when he took a bold stand against some policies of the successive governments of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif in a bid to uphold the judicial system in the country and bravely fought for an independent, powerful and honest judiciary.
He said that the 9/11 incident was condemnable but post-9/11 events labelling Muslims as terrorists around the world were even more deplorable.
"The West should understand the meaning of terrorism and freedom struggle. Terrorism is rampant in many parts of the world but only Muslims are being targeted in a 'war against terrorism'. We have to stop this as Musims are being crushed in the name of terrorism," he added.
Shah also spoke about the Pakistan movement and narrated the events which led to the foundation of the state. Speaking to Gulf News, Shah made it clear that the controversial Legal Framework Order (LFO) is not part of the Constitution.
The LFO was promulgated by President General Pervez Musharraf before the general election in October last year, introducing some amendments to Pakistan's Constitution, and giving himself sweeping powers.
The country has been facing political crisis as the opposition in parliament has refused to accept the LFO and asked the government to table it in the house for approval.
"LFO cannot be part of the Constitution unless it is approved by a two-thirds majority in parliament," he added, noting no one but parliament has the right to make amendments to the country's Constitution.
He said if the government and the opposition fail to end the deadlock over LFO, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has the right to intervene and call the matter to court in the best interests of the country.
Shah said there is a need to restore 'real' democracy in the country as people of Pakistan have the right to rule the country and not the army. The last general elections were rigged, he claimed, and the results were engineered with the collusion of army, intelligence agencies and other government machinery.
Mujeebur Rehman Shami, chief editor of Daily Pakistan, gave a quick flashback of the Pakistan movement and the struggle of Muslims that led to the creation of Pakistan. He also noted that the judicial and political institutions in the country need to be set on the straight path.
Gulf News
