20 March 2004	Saturday	28 Muharram 1425

PESHAWAR, March 19: Senior provincial minister Sirajul Haq has criticized the ongoing military operation against foreign militants and their tribal supporters in the troubled South Waziristan Agency.

Speaking at the meeting of the provincial executive council of the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) here on Friday, he accused the federal government of launching the Wana operation at the behest of the United States.

According to a press release, the senior minister said that the army-led operation in South Waziristan could lead the country towards anarchy and have a negative effect on the country's security.

He held the federal government responsible for the prevailing instability in the tribal region and demanded to halt operation immediately. Mr Siraj vowed that the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal would be kept intact, adding that it was need of the hour to further strengthen the alliance. Meanwhile Islami Jamiat Tulaba staged a protest rally in the University of Peshawar on Friday to condemn the Wana operation.