LAHORE, Sept. 1: MMA president and Jamaat-i-Islami amir Qazi Hussain Ahmad on Friday said the ‘successful strike’ throughout the country was proof of common man’s ‘anger’ at Gen Pervez Musharraf’s policies.

Talking to newsmen at Mansoorah, he condemned the government for not handing over remains of Nawab Akbar Bugti to his family and said that such actions would only increase hatred between the federation and its provincial units.

To a question, the MMA chief said the strike call was given not only to condemn the military action in Balochistan but also to show people’s “disgust towards extra-judicial assassination of the veteran tribal leader, detention of Dr Abdul Qadir Khan on the American dictates despite his serious illness and bloodshed in tribal areas under the so-called war on terror.”

He said that the decision to burry Akbar Bugti without his family was nothing short of enmity with the state. The family should have been allowed to burry their elder with honour.

The Qazi took strong exception to lawlessness in the society and said no one was safe even in his house, as broad-day dacoities had become an order of the day. “People are looking for a genuine change which can only be brought about through an Islamic revolution.”

About the resignations option, he said that decision to this effect would be taken when Pervez Musharraf tried to get himself elected through the present assemblies and prolonged his unconstitutional rule. “The joint opposition would take a final decision in this regard.”

The MMA leader said the mass-contact campaign of the six-party alliance and the ARD was in progress, adding: “We are mobilising people and apprising them of the corruption of the government. We believe in peaceful and democratic means of protest. Therefore, movement should not be linked to arson, siege and violent protest on roads. The successful shutterdown is also part of the drive against the corrupt rulers.”

Meanwhile, MMA leader Liaqat Baloch, in a press statement, said that complete strike on Friday was a no-confidence against Gen Pervez Musharraf, and his “dangerous policies.” He said that people had now realised how dangerous his policies had become over the years.”