LAHORE, Aug 25: MMA deputy secretary-general and Jamaat-i-Islami naib amir Liaquat Baloch said on Friday that despite differences on amendments to the Hudood Ordinance, the opposition was united against military dictatorship and on no-confidence move against the government.

Talking to newsmen, Mr Baloch explained reasons behind the differences on the Hudood Ordinance and claimed that all parties had their own manifestoes and political programmes, which gave birth to differing perceptions on various issues.

But, the entire opposition was united in ousting of the military dictator and his cronies.

Mr Baloch claimed that PML president Chaudhry Shujaat Husain had offered the opposition secret ballot, but backed out when asked to ensure presence of all MNAs in the House.

He said the ruling party would not allow its members to attend the session during the voting on the motion.

When asked whether the opposition could boycott the no-confidence move against the prime minister if the government did not allow secret ballot, he said the constitution did not require secret ballot: division (into ayes and nays) of the House could fulfill the constitutional requirement.

The government had timed the presentation of the Hudood Ordinance Amendment Bill two days before tabling of no-confidence motion, thus dividing the opposition. But it failed to realise that the opposition was committed to the removal of the dictator and restoration of democracy.

“Tabling a unanimous no-confidence move is the first success of the united opposition,” he said and added: “The motion would succeed because many treasury members are angry with the government and in touch with the opposition. They would certainly support the motion. The names of these members could not be disclosed at this point of time for obvious reasons.”

Earlier, addressing the press conference, Mr Baloch asked the government to hold a debate in parliament before sending troops to Lebanon.

Mr Baloch, who had recently returned from a visit to Lebanon, said Muslims across the world hated Gen Pervez Musharraf for being an ally of Bush, and this hatred should not be allowed to turn into hatred against Pakistan.

He said a parliamentary delegation from all parties should be sent to Lebanon as a goodwill gesture.

He asked the Muslim rulers to stop being apologetic on the issue and convene a fresh OIC summit for chalking out a counter plan to the US-Israeli designs, which were anti-Muslim.