SUKKUR, Dec 28: Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal president Maulana Shah Ahmed Noorani on Saturday opposed the appointment of the new Sindh governor, saying that never before had a proclaimed offender been elevated to such a prestigious office in Pakistan against the wishes of the people.

The MMA chief was speaking at a crowded press conference at the Madressah Ghousia Rizvia here.

He described the appointment of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s nominee as the new governor of Sindh the blackest chapter in the political history of the country, saying that Dr Ishratul Ibad had taken political asylum in the United Kingdom 10 years ago after submitting a written plea containing certain anti-state statements.

Maulana Noorani was accompanied by the president of the MMA Sindh, and MNA Maulana Asadullah Bhutto and the president of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Sindh, Maulana Asad Thanvi.

He said that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement was opposed to the 1973 Constitution, and was struggling for implementation of the 1940 Resolution envisaging independent states in Pakistan.

He expressed the fear that abandoning the 1973 Constitution would open up the Pandora’s box, which had been admitted by President Pervez Musharraf himself.

Noorani said that MMA was opposed to the Legal Framework Order (LFO), the setting up of the National Security Council, and revival of the Article 58(2)B of the Constitution as they would make the Parliament subservient to the supra-constitutional NSC.

He said there was no role for Armed Forces in the constitution except guarding the frontiers of Pakistan, adding that the Turkish model of the NSC should not serve as an example because the Turkish army had been instrumental in freeing Turkey from foreign domination, while Pakistan was secured through politics.

He said that individuals were not authorized to amend the Constitution, adding that the Supreme Court had allowed the president to make minor changes in the Constitutions for running day-to-day government affairs.

Criticizing President Gen Musharraf, he said that the president had not felt any need for amending the Constitution for two years and eight months, but now, when the joint sitting of the Parliament was only four months away, he had started making amendments through LFO.

Earlier, talking to newsmen at the Sukkur airport on Friday, Noorani said that the MMA would soon launch a peaceful agitation campaign to protest against the government misdeeds.

Stressing on the need for strict observance of the democratic norms, he said that the MMA rejected all ordinances enforced by the president.

He said that democracy demanded of the president to come to power through legal process enshrined in the constitution, adding if he managed to get two-third votes in the parliament “we will have no objection.”

He said that if Benazir Bhutto was against MMA, she should have stopped Nisar Khuhro from coming to hold talks with the party.

He said that talks were under way between the MMA and the Pakistan Muslim League (Q), adding that the MMA wanted to promote democratic norms.

Shikarpur: Maulana Shah Ahmed Noorani said that the MMA will not support the prime minister in the upcoming vote of confidence in the Parliament.

Speaking at a press conference here, he said that the MMA would not support the Jamali government till the prime minister extended the assurance regarding implementation of every constitutional provision recommended by the Islamic Ideological Council.

Maulana Noorani said that the MMA would sit on the opposition benches and fight for democratic rights of the people.

Rejecting the existence of areas called No-Go areas, he said that areas where terrorists and extortionists were not allowed by the local people were being termed as no-go areas by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.

Referring to foreign policy issues, the MMA president doubted the sincerity of the United States, saying that America could never be a true friend of Pakistan.

India, he said, was the enemy of Pakistan, and it would never make sincere efforts to settle disputes, including the Kashmir issue. However, he welcomed efforts for settling disputes through dialogues with India.

Maulana Noorani cautioned the people of Sindh regarding cropping up of serious problems after formation of what he described as the undemocratic setup and the nomination of the new governor in Sindh.

Earlier, the MMA president inaugurated the Urs of Hazrat Pir Mian Abdul Ghafoor Humayuni.