KARACHI: MMA to stay moderate on presence of US forces
By Our Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 14: Vowing to ensure constitutional independence of the parliament, the chief of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, Maulana Shah Ahmed Noorani, hinted at moderation on the presence of US military personnel and operational bases in the country.
Maulana Noorani indicated this while addressing a news conference on Monday.
The MMA chief declared that the alliance of religious parties would defend the 1973 Constitution and would strive for the establishment of “Nizam-i-Mustafa and prevent the country from becoming a secular state.
The MMA had campaigned against American policies in the region, especially against Muslims and its instant and unpredictable success was manifestation of growing anti-American sentiments, especially among the Pushtoons of the country.
The MMA had already rejected the so-called constitutional package because it firmly believed that no individual had the right to amend the constitution, except in the manner spelt out in the Constitution.
But he emphasised that in view of the peculiar situation prevailing in the country, confrontation was not advisable.
Asked what would be the MMA’s stand vis-a-vis US bases in the country, especially now that it was in a position to form a government in Balochistan and the NWFP, Maulana Noorani sounded moderate when he did not reiterate the hardline election campaign stand of demanding their immediate withdrawal from the country.
Instead, he said, the situation would be examined and would be taken up in the parliament to know the facts, terms and conditions and duration of such a deal by the Musharraf regime.
On the question of FBI’s operation in the country, his answer was also that the issue would be examined by the parliament and a decision will be taken in accordance with the Constitution.
On the formation of government, he said that dialogue was continuing with the various political forces and some decision will be taken in the meeting of heads of the alliance parties on Wednesday in Islamabad.
When he was asked what would be the MMA’s policy vis-a-vis the religious parties banned by the regime, Maulana Noorani said they had never been part of the alliance, therefore it had no policy about them.
He said the MMA respects the mandate of the people and alleged that despite provocations from the activists of Muttahida Qaumi Movement on the polling day, the MMA remained calm and avoided any incident.
Maulana Noorani claimed that on the polling day the MQM activists used undemocratic means and stuffed the ballot to get their candidates elected through strong-arm tactics.
He regretted that such incidents were immediately reported by the MMA workers to the Election Commission, but, so far, nothing had been done. The staff on the polling day was so terrorised that it could not take any punitive or remedial measures.
He said that information was received from various polling stations that polling agents were refused certificates of the votes polled.
Maulana Noorani complained that Election Commission had not taken notice of complaints in the central, eastern and southern districts where reportedly polling continued many hours after the closing time.
He alleged that concerned administrative and security officials were conspicuously missing from such polling station. He alleged that taking advantage of such a situation, MQM activists not only took over some polling booths, but also manhandled those polling agents who protested.
He said the MMA would not allow such elements to trample the democratic norms. He also demanded of the provincial EC to explain why polling in many polling stations continued several hours after the specified time.
Talking to various delegations at the office of World Islamic Mission, Maulana Noorani said although President Musharraf fulfilled his promise for holding of elections, he did not fulfil his commitment of a free, fair and impartial elections.
He said while stuffing continued beyond daylight, the polling staff and administration remained a silent spectator, and the results were delayed for even 36 hours. He said that delays in Karachi results indicated that these were engineered by the vested interest.
He said that we do not believe in the politics of animosity, but we would not give a free hand to terrorists, and the bhatta mafia.
KARACHI, Oct 14: Vowing to ensure constitutional independence of the parliament, the chief of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, Maulana Shah Ahmed Noorani, hinted at moderation on the presence of US military personnel and operational bases in the country.
