NOWSHERA, Sept 6: Jamaat-i-Islami chief Munawar Hassan on Thursday opposed the launch of military offensive in North Waziristan Agency and said his party won’t let that happen.

Addressing an ‘Islami Inqeelab’ rally here, Mr Hassan said ‘American agents’ wanted to create unrest in the country by pushing the army for North Waziristan operation.

He said Pakistan’s solidarity, freedom and autonomy was at stake due to the interference of the US and its allies in local affairs.

The JI chief said the army could defend the country alone. He said terrorism had taken root in society due to use of force.

Mr Hassan said the issue of unrest could be resolved by dialogue. He said terrorism had weakened the country and given opportunity to foreign forces to interfere in the country’s own affairs. About local body elections, the JI chief said the people weren’t ready to give rulers more time to stay and wanted free and fair elections without delay.—Correspondent