|
|
|
| June 24, 2002 | Monday | Rabi-us-Sani 12, 1423 |
Oct polls will be disastrous, warns Qazi: Bid to postpone
FAISALABAD, June 23: Jamaat-i-Islami Amir Qazi Husain Ahmed has warned that if people were not allowed to cast vote in the October elections according to their will, it would lead to civil war in the country.
Speaking at a news conference here on Sunday, the JI chief alleged that the rulers were trying to postpone October elections to perpetuate their rule. “If the rulers continued to play in the hands of anti-democratic forces, there will be direct clashes between the people and the armed forces. This would be dangerous for the federation.”
According to him, the entire government machinery was being used for the character assassination of religious scholars and jihadi organizations. On the other hand, foreign NGOs and investigation agencies were violating all norms of rules and regulations.
Qazi said that the National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB) has no right or mandate to change the basic structure of the constitution. The Supreme Court had allowed Gen Musharraf to continue for three years under certain conditions.
“The military rulers are bound to obey the Supreme Court orders and should desists from changing the basic structure of the constitution.”
He said that the imposition of graduation condition through promulgation of an ordinance was a clear violation of fundamental rights and an attempt to keep a vast majority of popular political leaders away from elections.
“This is nothing but pre-polls rigging, an attempt to create chaos and pave the way for the postponement of October elections.”
He announced that the Jamaat and other religious and political parties would put up resistance in case the rulers either tried to postpone or manipulate the elections.
The JI amir said that the government has failed to implement its seven-point agenda. “This is an ample proof that the cabinet members and advisers of Gen Musharraf are incompetent and incapable to run the affairs of the country.”
The government has failed to improve law and order situation in the country. Robberies, dacoities and terrorist activities have become order of the day. “Personnel of the FBI and other foreign agencies are freely moving in various parts of the country, indicating that Pakistan has lost its sovereignty within its boundaries.”
The masses have, by boycotting the referendum, expressed their no-confidence against the policies of Musharraf government. Hardly three per cent people cast votes on referendum day but the government officials filled the ballot boxes to please Gen Musharraf.
He alleged that Gen Musharraf was playing in the hands of America. Anti-Pakistan polices were being formulated which were undermining the prestige of the armed forces in the eyes of the general public.
Qazi Husain Ahmed said that Gen Musharraf should restore the sovereignty of parliament and allow the masses to elect their representatives without any fear according to the Islamic injunctions and the 1973 Constitution.
He demanded that an interim government comprising impartial people should be set up for holding free and transparent general elections under an independent election commission.
|
|
|
|
