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| February 15, 2003 | Saturday | Zul Hijjah 13, 1423 |
War on Iraq will divide people, warns Shujaat
LONDON, Feb 14: PML-Q President and Parliamentary leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has said war on Iraq will create an unbridgeable divide between Muslims and non-Muslim world hence both should make every effort to find a peaceful solution to Iraq crisis.
Speaking at a Meet the Press programme organized at a local hotel here on Thursday by PML-Q UK President Raja Mohammad Ishtiaq, he urged the Arab world to press Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to accept UN Security Council resolutions to avert war.
The Western countries, he said, should try to make US President George Bush realize serious implications of the war.
Vowing Pakistan’s unflinching commitment to combat terrorism, Shujaat said: “War on Iraq will kill people and create a mountain of hatred between Muslims and non-Muslims.”
Lord Nazir Ahmed, PML-Q UK Secretary-General Saleem Hashmi, Chaudhry Mehboob, Tariq Azeem, and other PML-Q and Kashmiri leaders were present on the occasion.
Shujaat, who is on a private visit here, welcomed efforts being made by France and Germany to avoid war, saying, anyone working for a peaceful solution to Iraqi crisis was doing a good job.
In reply to a question on Kashmir, he said Pakistan’s stand had remained unchanged. “It is committed to extending political, moral and diplomatic support for achievement of Kashmiris’ right to self-determination under the UN resolutions.
Shujaat said he would ensure that the ministers visiting UK should meet the community, without considering political affiliations and listen to their problems.
He assured Pakistanis and Kashmiris living in Britain that after Senate elections, he would ensure that no custom official should search them outside the airport on arrival in Pakistan.
PML-Q Parliamentary leader said he would give an important responsibility to Raja Muhammad Ishtiaq after his return to Pakistan.
Shujaat eulogised humility of Lord Nazir Ahmed and said he deserved due respect by all Pakistanis and Kashmiris for his good work for the community.
Dilating on national issues, Shujaat said his party was committed to ensuring success of the present system of devolution of powers at grass-roots level. But MNAs and MPAs would have a role in carrying out development schemes as they have to fulfil their election pledges with electorates. He said unless they were given a role in it, the assemblies could reject this system.
He said former Chairman of the National Reconstruction Bureau Gen (R) Tanvir Hussain Naqvi had been told that this system could not work without the support of parliamentarians.
Responding to a question, he said Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali had full powers to run affairs of the country. He said these powers were willingly relinquished by President Gen Pervez Musharraf who willingly transferred power to the civilian government.
He said Pervez Musharraf was the first ruler who got elections held as promised and transferred power without pressure.
When asked whether the PML-Q Government would allow return of two former prime ministers Mohammad Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto to Pakistan, he said: “We neither sent them abroad nor we will stop them coming to Pakistan.”
Speaking on the occasion, Lord Nazir Ahmed congratulated Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain for ensuring the formation of the PML-Q government in three provinces.
He specially thanked him and the PML-Q Government for reducing the cost of National Identity Cards for Overseas Pakistanis to $15 which would enable them to visit Pakistan without getting visas.—APP
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