PESHAWAR: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that issue of Panama Papers leak should be left to commission, formed by the prime minister.

Talking to journalists at his party’s provincial headquarters here on Wednesday, he said that like Wiki Leaks, the issue of Panama Papers leak too was likely to be forgotten soon.

He said that premier constituted a commission to investigate the leaks, so the issue should be left to the commission to probe.

However, JUIF chief called for bringing back the money shifted abroad both through legal or illegal channels.

He also opposed extension of the Customs Act to Malakand division, saying it was likely to put more burden on the people of the militancy-affected region.

Mr Rehman said that the Act was extended to Malakand on the recommendations of the provincial government.

It was an injustice with the people of the region, he said.

He added that his party would stage protest against extension of Customs Act to Provincially Administered Tribal Areas.

He said that people of Malakand were reeling under the effects of insurgency, earthquake and floods and the imposition of tax would further increase their woes.

The JUI-F chief said that religious parties were holding negotiations with the Punjab government over Women Protection Bill.

He said that a delegation of religious parties held discussion with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and his team on the issue.

He said that a committee was also formed in that regard and Allama Sajid Mir, Maulana Fazl Ali Haqqani, Asadullah Bhutto and Kamran Murtaza would represent religious parties in the committee.

Mr Fazl said that religious people were wrongly portrayed as supporters of terrorism and violence. “Why such laws are being introduced in the parliament, which were inimical to Islam and social values,” he questioned.

The JUI-F chief said that although Mutahidda Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) was dormant at the moment, yet religious parties showed unity on the issue of Women Protection Bill.

He said that in connection with JUIF centenary celebration, an international convention would be held in April 2017.

JUIF general secretary Abdul Ghafoor Haidari and other senior leaders were also present on this occasion.

Published in Dawn, April 7th, 2016