04 June 2004	Friday	15 Rabi-us-Saani 1425

MARDAN, June 3: Amir of Tehrik-i-Islami Pakistan, Hakim Mahmud Ahmad Saharanpuri, has said that some hidden hands are involved in the current sectarian strife in the country.

Addressing members of the District Bar Association on Thursday, he denounced the recent wave of killings and termed it the work of the enemy who wanted to divide Muslims on sectarian lines. DBA president Abdul Hameed Khan also spoke on the occasion.

Responding to a question about nomination of Maulana Fazlur Rehman as Opposition Leader, Saharanpuri said that according to the parliamentary traditions the opposition itself nominated its leader.

However, the treasury benches nominated the opposition leader in Pakistan which was a new and unique example in the history of the country. While replying to another question he alleged that Jamaat-i-Islami had deviated from its manifesto while his own faction, the Tehrik-i-Islami, still stuck to the original programme as was set by the founding members of the JI.

He further added that the Ummah was faced with the leadership crisis as the present rulers in the Muslim countries lacked the ability to steer the it out of the prevailing situation.