March 28, 2006	Tuesday	Safar 27, 1427

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RAWALPINDI, March 27: Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) president Qazi Hussain Ahmad on Monday called upon President General Pervez Musharraf to relinquish the offices of president and army chief before the 2007 election.

Speaking at a convention of the MMA leadership of Punjab’s northern districts at the Rawalpindi Press Club, he said an all-party conference had reached the conclusion that Gen Musharraf must leave both the offices.

The MMA leader warned that the combined opposition would mobilise the masses and stage a sit-in in Islamabad if Gen Musharraf failed to quit both the offices.

He reiterated the MMA’s demands for an independent election commission, restoration of the 1973 Constitution in its original form and an interim consensus government before the election.

He criticised President Musharraf over the sacrilegious cartoons issue.

Speaking on the occasion, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri said the MMA would repeal the 17th amendment if it came to power.

“We acknowledge that the 17th amendment has prolonged Gen Musharraf’s regime but said that it was the need of the hour,” he said.

Maulana Haidri expressed the hope that the MMA would sweep the next election in Punjab and Sindh.