KARACHI, Jan 10: Leaders of various political and religious parties on Thursday reacted strongly to a reported statement by US Central Command (Centcom) chief, General Tommy Franks, which said that Pakistan government has allowed US forces to carry out military operations against Al-Qaeda organization in Pakistan.

They said although a Foreign Office spokesman had denied any knowledge of the US military operations, but similar denials had also been made earlier about the provision of air bases to the US forces.

“The US has its own agenda in the region and to achieve it this exercise is being carried out, which has nothing to do with Pakistan’s interests,” said acting chief of Jamaat-i-Islami, Syed Munawar Hasan.

He contended that the US wanted to crush religious and Jehadi organizations in Pakistan on the pretext of war against terrorism.

Syed Munawar Hasan suggested the government to enter into an accord with Iran and China to counter US, Israel and Indian alliance against the Muslims.

PPP leader N.D Khan also expressed serious concern over the statement of the US general.

President, Muslim Rabita Council, Nusrat Mirza, termed the report a serious threat to Pakistan’s security and asserted that people would never allow them to do so.

Hafiz Mohammad Taqi, leader of Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, said the nation would never allow foreign interference in the country’s affairs.

Leader of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Qari Mohammad Usman, said the rulers had no rights to allow any foreign country to carry out operation on Pakistan’s soil.

Chairman, Markazi Ahl-i-Hadis Pakistan, Prof Sajid Mir, said allowing the US army to operate in Pakistan would lead to a serious threat to the national security.—PPI