FAISALABAD, March 24: Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) chief Maulana Shah Ahmed Noorani has said that a line of action would soon be announced to press for a change in the government’s foreign policy and withdrawal of the support for US forces in the shape of air bases.

Speaking at a news conference here on Monday, MMA Chief said that the Musharraf regime had failed to take a solid stand over the Iraq crisis.

He said Pakistan could play a pivotal role in the present scenario in its capacity as a member of the UN Security Council. However, President Musharraf had confused the nation by issuing wrong statements on the issue, he claimed.

He said that American forces had violated all prescribed rules and charter of the United Nations in their lust for power. The international community should play its role and call an emergency session of the United Nations for imposing sanctions on America, Britain and other coalition members. The motive behind the attack on Iraq is not only takeover of oil fields but also realisation of Greater Israel, he added.

He cautioned that in case Muslim countries especially neighbours of Iraq failed to wake up from slumber after the Iraq crisis then there would be a series of attacks on Islamic nations in near future. If the Bush administration succeeded in capturing Baghdad then its forces would attack Iran, Syria, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in the second phase of the plan, he claimed.

Criticizing the role of Musharraf government, Mr Noorani said that Pakistan had the potential to lead other nations against the US-led allies. A good number of countries including some big powers are ready to join any coalition against America, and the Pakistani leadership should avail this opportunity, he added.

To a question, the MMA chief claimed that millions were participating in demonstrations and rallies in the country in a peaceful manner, and it was a basic right of the people under the Constitution and one of the basic norms of democracy that they should be able to express their views and observations on any issue.

He said that the current regime was indirectly responsible for the aggression on Iraq, as it had provided support to US-led forces in Afghanistan. Divisions in the Ummat have made it possible for America to attack any country for achieving its ulterior motives. The massacre of innocent people in Afghanistan and Iraq have rendered the so-called champions of human rights irrelevant.

He alleged that the MMA had called a National Assembly session for discussing the Iraq crisis and the LFO issue, but the Treasury prorogued the same to prevent a joint resolution against America over the Iraq crisis.

He said that 44 senators had made a requisition for a Senate session so that the government could be forced to change its foreign policy and remold it according to wishes of the people.