Militants to be taught 'real Islamic values'

Islamabad: In addition to the ongoing military offensive against terrorism, Pakistan has decided to adopt an unconventional approach to control extremism in the country by giving lessons to Islamist militants about "real Islamic values", said a senior official.

"We intend to invite the imam of Ka'aba and other renowned religious Islamic scholars to Pakistan to give lectures on television and hold conferences in a bid to make extremists and terrorists aware of the real Islamic values," said Iftekhar Aziz, Director General for Middle East and the Gulf at the foreign ministry of Pakistan.

Saudi experience

He was speaking to Gulf News in Islamabad during a meeting with a delegation comprising UAE-based journalists.

Aziz said the government wants to educate militants that violence, suicide bombings and killings are not part of Islam's teachings for its followers.

"We want to replicate the Saudi experience as they successfully rehabilitated terrorists and criminals within their borders using similar methods of education and awareness." He said Pakistan gets extensive cooperation from Saudi Arabia and the UAE to root out militancy from the country.

The South Asian country is working with the Saudi authorities and is hoping to start the education programmes after Eid Al Adha with the help of the imam of Ka'aba, who is highly respected by Muslims.

Aziz believes that the new method will help his country curb militancy because education is what is lacking in the northern parts of Pakistan, where extremists and militants live.

He said an important part of Pakistan's foreign policy is to have cordial relations with all Islamic countries, especially the Gulf.

"Our foreign policy is anchored on having these relations as Pakistan is also playing a key role in the development of these countries," he added.

Pakistan also has strategic relationship with the Gulf countries because of its dependence on oil.

The recent visit of Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari was also focused on strengthening relations and to sign some new agreements.

Elaborating on Pakistan-UAE relations, Aziz said: "We have joint ministerial commission led by foreign ministers of both the countries."