Mufti Taqi Usmani urges govt to stop importing products from "enemies of Muslims"

Renowned Islamic scholar Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani spoke at a ceremony in Karachi, addressing various issues plaguing the country.

He said that the West has been idealised in every field, while "Pakistan lags behind and still relying on infrastructure laid by the British." 

"We have not been able to construct a road to Lake Saiful Muluk till today, no line has been laid since the British rule," the grand Mufti lamented.

Mr Usmani stated that the country is facing numerous problems, including a shortage of foreign exchange, but "imports are not being banned due to IMF restrictions".

"We are slaves to the IMF, and our children are in debt today," the Shaykh-ul-Islam said. 

"I find it difficult to bring the Islamic system through the political system in these circumstances," he added.

The scholar emphasised the need for long-term policies, like think tanks worldwide, and urged government, business community and people to shun imported products, especially from "enemies of Muslims".

"Think about it, why are we slaves to international institutions? We need a movement that refuses to order imported things, especially from enemies who are cutting the throats of Muslims."

Mufti Taqi Usmani also criticised the constant allegations of rigging in every election, saying, "If the people stand up, the government will kneel down."

He encouraged different classes of people to come together to find a way out of this slavery.

"Revolution comes through the people, not the government."

The business community, he said, can force politics to come on the right track. 

"Traders can solve the problem of imported products only by mutual unity and consensus," the cleric concluded.