KARACHI, Dec 12: President of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal Qazi Hussain Ahmed on Monday accused the government of undermining the supremacy of constitution and independence of judiciary.

Speaking at a condolence meeting, held here on Monday in memory of a former president of the Karachi Bar Association, Ismail Padhiyar, the MMA chief also alleged that national assets were being sold away while constitutional institutions were being damaged by the government.

“The country is still ruled under the Martial Law and an individual has accumulated all powers in his person in spite of the presence of parliament,” he remarked.

Qazi Hussain Ahmed accused Gen Pervez Musharraf of deviating from the oath he had taken under the constitution, which restricted army personnel from taking part in politics.

About the Kalabagh Dam issue, he said the government was raising such issues in order to divert the attention of masses from the real issues.

He said the National Security Council had been formed in violation of the constitution.

Paying rich tribute to the services rendered by the late Padhiyar, Qazi Hussain said he struggled for the supremacy of constitution and rule of law throughout his life.

He urged lawyers fraternity and political forces to approach masses in the struggle for the rule of law, independence of judiciary, restoration of basic human rights and a true and genuine democracy.

President of the Islamic Lawyers Movement Syed Abdul Waheed, President of the Karachi Bar Association Mehmoodul Hasan and others also paid glowing tributes to Ismail Padhiyar for his services.—PPI