RAWALPINDI, March 21: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Rawalpindi has called upon the federal government to immediately wind up the Wana operation and take the government and people of NWFP into confidence.
A resolution passed by the party in a special meeting presided over by JI district chief Mohammad Abbas Butt said it was a matter of great concern that Waziristan had been subjected to a military invasion.
The resolution stressed that going by local tradition and custom, the government should have resolved the issue through a jirga. "Because of the method adopted in this case, there is an apprehension that through these extremist tactics a situation is being created to make things even worse."
The resolution urged the government to immediately stop the operation because, it added, common citizens were being affected and killed. The resolution said the NWFP government and the masses living in Southern Waziristan should be taken into confidence.
The resolution urged the government to bring the matter to the National Assembly so that a decision on the matter could be taken in consultation with the elected representatives.
Our Correspondent from Taxila adds: The Jamaat-i-Islami central secretary- general, Syed Munawar Hassan, has criticized the ongoing military operation in Wana. Speaking as the chief guest at 'Shuhada-i-Islam' conference held at Wah Cantonment, the JI leader asked the government to halt the operation as "innocent people are being killed by the paramilitary forces".
He accused the government of playing into the hands of the US. "Those declared terrorists are the same who had earlier been termed heroes by the US during their struggle against the former Soviet Union." The JI leader held the government responsible for prevailing instability in the tribal areas, and demanded withdrawal of paramilitary forces.
He said the religious class believed that the Wana operation was being carried out on the directives of foreign powers and innocent people were being killed in so-called war against terrorism. Mr Hassan alleged that the government under the US directives was revising the academic syllabi and removing Quranic verses with reference to Jihad.
COUNCILLOR JOINS PML-Q: The gap between the constituents and their representatives has been abridged after introduction of the local government system in the country.
This was stated by Pakistan Muslim League-Q MNA Ghulam Sarwar Khan while speaking at a public meeting held in connection with the PML-N councillor's announcement of joining the PML-Q.
Mr Khan said MNAs, MPAs and public representatives at district level were joining the PML-Q, which proved that the government had adopted people-friendly policies. Now problems faced by the masses are being solved on their doorstep, he added.
ELECTION SYMBOLS: Election symbols have been allotted to the candidates contesting the by-polls for vacant posts of union council Nazim and general councillor.
The returning officer allotted hockey as election symbol to PML-Q candidate, Mohammad Rafeeq Mughal, while his rival, Haji Shafqat of the PPP, was allotted crescent for contesting by- elections in Union Council 26.
