KHAIRPUR, Sept 3: Mutahidda Majlis-i-Amal general-secretary Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said the authority does not lie with the elected prime minister but with the president.

Speaking at a press conference here on Tuesday, he alleged that the president wanted to create problems and disharmony in the country so that he could dissolve the assemblies and blame politicians for the situation.

He said there was no real democracy in Pakistan as politicians were not being allowed to return to the country.

He said the MMA wanted the assemblies to complete the tenure of five years. He said his party would not block the functioning of the government and accused the army of creating hurdles in the way of the country’s development.

Mr Fazl said the federal government should not interfere in the affairs of the provinces.

He said the MMA would not object to the formation of the National Security Council provided it was not made a constitutional body but a temporary consultative body.

He said Federal Information Minister Shaikh Rasheed was creating a gulf between the government and the opposition by issuing contradictory statements.

Our Sukkur correspondent add: Speaking at a public meeting in Mirpur Mathelo on Wednesday, Maulana Fazl said the government was not serious about dialogue with the MMA.

He said the MMA wanted a strong parliament and would continue its struggle for the purpose.

He reiterated a movement would be launched against the government if the talks on the Legal Framework Order the failed.

Terming the Kalabagh dam and the Thal canal disputed projects, the Maulana said the water projects should be constructed after apprehensions of the provinces were removed.

Later, speaking at a press conference at the Madressah Badrul Uloom in Ghotki, the JUI chief said the assemblies would not stand dissolved if the LFO was repealed.