02 September 2004	Thursday	16 Rajab 1425

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 1: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) will observe a protest day throughout the country on September 11 to condemn the United States for targeting Muslim countries in the name of war against terrorism.

This was stated by Naib Ameer of Jamaat-i-Islami and JI Punjab Ameer MNA Liaquat Baloch at a function held to mark the 64th founding day of the party here on Wednesday.

The MNA said the religious alliance would hold rallies and meetings in different cities on the occasion of the third anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. He said in these rallies, solidarity would be expressed with the people of Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine and Kashmir. He said so far, the US had failed to complete its investigations into the 9/11 incident.

Mr Baloch said the MMA condemned terrorism whether committed by an individual, any organization or state. He alleged that the military rulers in Pakistan were taking decisions under the US pressure. He said no one had the courage to convert Pakistan into a secular state.

He said the military rulers did not have the capability to bring the country out of the present crisis. He asked the military to let the parliament and judiciary function independently.

Mr Baloch said Gen Musharraf had no option but to remove his uniform by December 31. Gen Musharraf, he said, had made a commitment in his addresses to the nation and then to the parliament that he would shed his uniform. He said the nation would not allow a person to violate the constitution for the second time.

The MMA leader said the period between October and December was very crucial for the country. He also announced that a three- day convention would be held at Minar-i-Pakistan from October 1.

He said even Shaukat Aziz had to compromise on the cabinet issue and he appointed the same persons who did not have the ability to resolve the people's problems. Earlier, MNA Dr Farid Ahmed Piracha alleged that a member of the cabinet had recruited some 7,500 people on daily wages after getting bribe from them. He regretted that the army generals were busy in acquiring lands.

Dr Piracha alleged that out of 342 members of the 'graduate' assembly, the degrees of 42 MNAs were fake. He said no one knew why Mr Jamali was removed, and Chaudhry Shujaat was made the prime minister for 45 days.

He said the ruling party MNAs were giving votes to Gen Musharraf's nominees like puppets. He said there was no way out for Gen Musharraf but to remove his uniform by December 31.

MMA MNA from Islamabad Mian Mohammad Aslam gave a brief history of the 63-year "achievements" of the Jamaat-i-Islami. He said the party was established on August 26, 1941, at the residence of Maulana Maudoodi in Lahore. He said the JI workers and leaders had rendered great sacrifices for the cause of Islam and democracy.