September 22, 2006	Friday	Sha'aban 28, 1427

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JHANG, Sept 21: Jamaat-i-Islami amir Qazi Husain Ahmad said on Thursday the PPP was the single obstacle in the way of a grand opposition alliance.

Speaking to the Jhang district bar association, he reiterated that the MMA was prepared to offer any sacrifice for the nation and it would make all possible efforts to unite the opposition parties to form the grand alliance. There would be joint resignations from the assemblies and anti-government protests, he resolved.

In order to draw up a strategy, he said, he called on PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan but the PPP leaders started creating hurdles during the talk by saying that they had yet to contact chairperson Benazir Bhutto over the issue.

He said Nawab Akbar Bugti’s assassination was aimed at dragging the province towards separation. “The wrong policies of the rulers pose a serious threat to the country’s sovereignty and integrity. The constitution has been crippled and there is hatred among the provinces and there is no law and order in the country which has created unrest among the people,” the Qazi regretted.

He further said the people had lost faith in the government and law-enforcement agencies and had been compelled to have their own security.

The incumbent (military) government, he said, had been working on the foreign dictates and our parliament completely lacked power. “The foreign rulers are pressuring the government to bring about political, social and educational changes which the army is implementing as it is not accountable to anyone, including the judiciary.”

He ruled out the chance of free and fair elections under these circumstances. The only option left for the political forces and the people was to forge unity and take to the street in large numbers to throw the regime out of power, he said.

FAISALABAD: The Qazi announced that the MMA and other opposition parties would shortly launch an organised protest campaign against the government.

Speaking at a press conference here, he dilated upon the religious-party alliance’s agenda the main point of which is “the struggle to rid the people of the government.”

He made a particular mention of Bugti’s killing as “an act for achieving vested interests.” He also condemned the operation in South Waziristan and described it as a part of the US conspiracy.

Answering a question about the women rights bill, he dispelled the impression that they were against it. “We are not against the freedom of women but the freedom which the government is seeking will create host of problems in society. The joint family system in our country itself safeguards the rights of the women.” He, however, made it clear that the West-dictated policies would not be tolerated.

The MMA leader also expressed concern over price-hike, poverty and unemployment in the country.