June 12, 2003	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 11, 1424

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ISLAMABAD June 11: The combined opposition on Wednesday condemned what they termed the federal government’s interference in the NWFP government’s affairs while expressing its determination to stand up against any action aimed at weakening or dislodging the MMA government.

This was resolved at a press conference here, addressed by members of the opposition, including MMA president Shah Ahmed Noorani, alliance’s secretary-general Maulana Fazlur Rehman, PPP president Makhdoom Amin Fahim, PML-N’s acting president Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, MMA’s deputy secretary-general Liaqat Baloch, its deputy parliamentary leader Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, Mian Raza Rabbani, Ishaq Dar and Tehmina Daultana.

Rejecting the local government system under the Legal Framework Order, they said that it was violative of the provincial autonomy provided in the 1973 constitution.

Vowing to continue their struggle for the supremacy of the parliament and safeguarding the 1973 constitution, they said that there would be no let up in this regard.

Expressing their resolve to maintain unity among their ranks, they said the opposition would go to any lengths if the NWFP government was threatened in any way, adding that it was ready to protect it from central government’s “unconstitutional interference.”

Maulana Noorani said the opposition was concerned about incidents of constitutional violations in Balochistan, Sindh and Punjab.

Criticizing the government for poor law and order situation in Karachi, he accused the government of deliberately encouraging sectarian confrontation.

Rebutting Gen Musharraf for ridiculing the Islamic edicts about veil and beard in his speech at Kohat, he claimed that he appeared to be anxious to prove his loyalty to the United States.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman said the opposition was against making the constitution controversial.

Reiterating the opposition’s stance regarding the LFO, Makhdoom Amin Fahim termed it wrong to say that the common man had no interest in the LFO.

Liaqat Baloch referred to the budget debate in the parliament, saying that the National Assembly and Senate sessions were facing quorum problems.

He said the opposition parties had decided to support the lawyers community, adding that it had also decided not to honour decisions of the superior judiciary till its judges took fresh oaths under the 1973 constitution.

The opposition, he said, had decided to go to Peshawar to express solidarity with members of the NWFP government whenever it was arranged.

Makhdoom Javed Hashmi criticized Gen Musharraf for his rejection of the democratic process.

He said that the NWFP government was being coerced, adding that the local government system under the LFO was a threat to the provincial autonomy.

Condemning the latest verdict of the Lahore High court, he said that no court had the power to legitimise army action.

Ishaq Dar also spoke on the occasion.