ISLAMABAD, April 12: Religious Affairs Minister Ijaz-ul-Haq said on Thursday that the issue of Lal Masjid-Jamia Hafsa would be resolved peacefully and through dialogue within a few days.Speaking to ulema at a meeting of Wafaq-ul-Madaris at the Haji Camp here, he said the government had no plans to launch any operation against the seminary.

Mr Haq said: “The government and PML president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain are in contact with the managements of Jamia Hafsa and Lal Masjid to find a peaceful solution to the issue.”

He said Chaudhry Shujaat had met the Lal Masjid management and there were indications that the issue would be resolved amicably.

“The students of Jamia Hafsa are our daughters and we are taking every possible step to save their future.”

A committee, consisting of ulema and officials of the capital administration, had been set up to address the complaints of mosques and madressas, he said, adding that all issues would be discussed and resolved in future. He said the committee would take decisions about seven disputed mosques in the capital.

The minister dispelled the impression that the government was against madressas.

He said the registration of 97 per cent madressas affiliated with the Wafaq-ul-Madaris had been completed.

A delegation of ulema was likely to meet President Musharraf to discuss issues relating to madressas’ educational activities, he said.—APP

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