October 15, 2002	Tuesday	Sha'aban 8, 1423

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ISLAMABAD Oct 14: Vice-president of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal and chief of Jamaat-i-Islami Qazi Hussain Ahmed has said that Pakistan is passing through the most delicate stage of transition of power and his religio-political alliance will not create any situation which can derail the process.

Speaking at a news conference here on Monday, Qazi Sahib said that the alliance would ensure that no chaotic or anarchic situation arose, giving a wrong signal to the world.

He asked the world community not to draw any wrong conclusions from the election results if some people had decided to bring change in governance and tried to live their lives according to their faith.

He said: “Islam is a religion of peace and we are not enemies of any other religion, nor do we aim at forcing our faith or views on any other society or individual.”

He said the alliance wanted a smooth transfer of power, and was negotiating with like-minded parties on its mechanism. He, however, said the legislators-elect of the alliance would take the oath as members of parliament under the 1973 Constitution, and not under the PCO as had been applied by Gen Ziaul Haq in 1985.

He said the MMA believed that the amendments to the Constitution were subject to review of parliament and if it was not done, the alliance would move the Supreme Court, without creating any conflict. He said: “We will demonstrate maximum flexibility in the larger interest of the nation but without compromising on principles.”

When asked about the alliance’s foreign policy, he said in our opinion every policy including defence and foreign affairs was subject to review of parliament.

Responding to a query about the alliance’s position on American war on terrorism, Qazi Hussain said: “the very term terrorism ought to be redefined, for, if the same force becomes the accuser and the judge we will not accept it”.

US TROOPS: To another question about MMA’s position on US troops presence on Pakistani soil Qazi said: “Pakistan is a sovereign state and capable of handling law and order and fight terrorism without external help and there was no need for American troops to stay”.

He said the alliance recognized all forces living in this country including the armed forces being national institution with the hope that it (army) would also demonstrate flexibility.

Replying to another question, MMA leader said the alliance had won majority in NWFP and would form its government there and it would negotiate possibility of forming coalition in Balochistan though it has a limited mandate in the national assembly but it has an important role to play whether in opposition or joining a coalition government if it helps serve objectives.

Referring to the analysis and interpretations about MMA that given particularly by the western media, he said the concern shown on MMA’s triumph in polls was uncalled for since the component parties of the alliance maintain a history of struggling for constitution and democracy.

HE CLAIMED: “we are law and constitution adhering people who have never adopted the path of lawlessness nor we will create a situation which could put the nation in hardship”.

Qazi sahib recalled the chaos of post 1970 polls when Gen Yahya Khan refused to hand over power to the majority party (Awami League) which resulted in the tragic breaking up of Pakistan.

He said: “we all are duty bound to abide by the constitution and refrain from the mistakes of the past which had cost us democracy and brought in dictatorships.”

He said the alliance wanted that a government should be established in which right of every segment of the society was respected and the opposition was given its due respect as well he said adding the judiciary should be accepted as a supreme institution.