Hassan asked to tender apologyISLAMABAD, Nov 10: Jamaat-i-Islami chief Munawar Hassan`s controversial statements giving the certificate of martyrdom to Hakeemullah Mehsud, the ruthless PTI leader killed in a US drone attack, and deriding military personnel who have rendered sacrifices in the war against terrorists, has drawn strong ire of the army which has asked him to tender an unconditional apology.

In a rare reaction to remarks made by the chief of a political party, the army asked, the Jamaat, once trusted ally in the Afghan war, to clarify its position.

The JI amir`s statement was condemned also by almost all political parties and non-political circles in the country and some of them even termed Mr Hassan a `traitor` and demanded his trial.

`The people whose loved ones have laid down their lives while fighting terrorists and families of Shuhada (martyrs) of the armed forces demand an unconditional apology from Syed Munawar Hassan for hurting their feel-ings. It is also expected that Jamaat-i-Islami should clearly state its position on the subject,` a spokesman for the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement issued on Sunday.

The ISPR spokesman said: `These were irresponsible and misleading remarks by Syed Munawar Hassan in a TV programme, declaring the dead terrorists as Shaheed while insulting the Shahadat of thousands of innocent Pakistanis and soldiers of Pakistan`s armed forces.

He said Mr Hassan had tried to invent a logic based on his political convenience.

`Strong condemnation of his views from an overwhelming majority leaves no doubt in anyone`s mind that all of us are very clear on what the state of Pakistan is and whoits enemies are. Sacrifices of our Shuhada and their families need no endorsement from Syed Munawar Hassan and such misguided and selfserving statements deserve no comments,` the statement added.

The spokesman said the statement by the chief of a party founded by Maulana Maududi, who was respected and revered for his service to Islam, was both `painful and unfortunate`.