18 February 2005	Friday	08 Muharram 1426

ISLAMABAD, Feb 17: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) MNA Kunwar Khalid Younus has asked the People's Party Parliamentarians (PPP) not to join hands with the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) if it wants to maintain its image as a liberal political party.

Commenting on the recent contacts between the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) and the MMA, the MQM MNA said the PPP should show courage and also demand removal of amendments and ordinances made during Gen Ziaul Haq era.

Talking to Dawn on Thursday, Mr Younus said it had been reported that both the MMA and the ARD had agreed to continue a joint struggle for bringing the Constitution to the October 12, 1999 position. He said this showed that the PPP had accepted the changes made by Gen Zia in the Constitution.

Mr Younus said it seemed that the PPP had withdrawn from its demand to repeal Hudood Ordinances only to seek cooperation of the MMA. He said the PPP should openly oppose the Hudood Ordinances if it wanted to maintain its "liberal and secular image."

He said it was strange that when the nation wanted to get rid of the extremist religious elements, the PPP was discussing the modalities of cooperation with them.