LAHORE, April 19: MMA president Qazi Husain Ahmad has questioned the PPP stand on restoration of democracy after Asif Zardari’s offer to the army-led government for engaging it into dialogue. He criticized PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto’s spouse for declaring army and establishment as permanent realities and accepting their role in

politics.

Speaking at a press conference here on Tuesday after his bypass surgery, the MMA leader said the PPP was violating the three-point agreement signed by ARD chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim aiming at restoring democracy by getting rid of Gen Musharraf.

The MMA leader claimed that Makhdoom was being replaced by Mr Zardari who, he said, was violating the Constitution by accepting armed forces’ role in politics.

Replying to a query, he said the MMA would not deviate from its stance of blocking army meddling in politics.

Asked why the MMA was opposing the ‘PPP-government dialogue’ when the religious alliance itself had entered into an agreement with the authorities on the 17th amendment, Qazi Husain said they had committed a big mistake and the PPP should not repeat it as Gen Musharraf was not a man of his words.

He told a questioner that the MMA had also encouraged ruling PML chief Shujaat Husain to develop a consensus over getting rid of the army and limiting the institution to its real responsibility, defence.

Responding to another query, he said unpopular policies of Gen Musharraf were swiftly changing the internal political situation and claimed that the masses would force the army ruler to quit within next two months.

He told a questioner that the parliament would decide whether new polls should be held.

He said Gen Musharraf, in his recent Indian visit, had deviated from Islamabad’s principled stand on Kashmir.

He also criticized the government for its failure to check unemployment, poverty, lawlessness, and price hike.

Qazi Husain warned the authorities that a big caravan would be led from Lahore to Gujranwala in case the government did not release alliance’s MNA Qazi Hameedullah and other workers detained in connection with Gujranwala marathon.