LAHORE: The federal government has been criticised for keeping the Imam-i-Kaaba away from Barelvi school of thought during his recent visit to the country.

`The government showed discrimination by not including a meeting with representatives of the largest school of thought (Barelvi) in the itinerary of Imam-i-Kaaba Dr Khalid Al-Ghamidi,` said Dr Raghib Naeemi, administra-tor of Jamia Naeemia, at a ceremony held by Tanzeem Ittehad-i-Ummat under the chair of Ziaul Haq Naqshbandi here on Wednesday.

Jamia Naeemia is a seminary considered to be close to the Sharifs.

Dr Ghamidi was here on a week-long visit apparently to win support for the Saudi Arab`s stance on Yemen crisis.

Dr Naeemi, however, hastened to add that it was betterthe meeting was not arranged for they would have refused to extend the support the Imam was seeking.

A release issued after the ceremony said they welcomed the Houthis` announcement of not attacking Makkah and Madina.

It said the participants opposed sending of troops to Yemen and urged Islamabad to play the role of a mediator and not a party. Staff Reporter