ISLAMABAD, June 19: The Muttahidda Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) has threatened to launch a countrywide movement to oust the government if it recognizes Israel.

This was stated by Chief of Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) and parliamentary party leader of the MMA in the National Assembly Qazi Hussain Ahmed while talking to newsmen after a meeting of the JI Shoora at his residence here on Thursday.

Flanked by JI leaders Munawwar Hassan, Hafiz Salman Butt and Liaqaut Baloch, Qazi Hussain Ahmed said: “The MMA will organize agitation to oust the government if it takes any step towards recognition of Israel.”

The Jamaat chief rejected the roadmap for Middle East peace prepared by the United States, saying it had been designed to strengthen Israelis’ illegitimate rule over the Palestinian lands.

When asked that several Arab countries had already accepted the roadmap, including the new Palestinian prime minister, Qazi said in most of the Arab countries rulers were not true representatives of their people. Moreover, he said, the Palestinian issue was not related to Arabs only but it was a problem of the whole Muslim Ummah.

He said Gen Musharraf did not have backing of the people, therefore, he could not take any important decision during his ongoing visit to the US and European nations. He demanded that parliament should be taken into confidence before making any commitment at international level.

The Jamaat chief praised NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani for presenting a Shariat Bill in the assembly. He said President Musharraf was opposing the bill only to please his foreign masters. He claimed that President Musharraf was taken into confidence before introducing the Shariat Bill in the Frontier Assembly.

He denied there existed differences within the MMA over the issue of appointment of a parliamentary party leader in Senate. “There is no difference within the alliance on any issue,” he asserted.

Qazi accused the government of giving a free hand to the Muttahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) in Karachi where by-election was being held. He asked the chief election commissioner to ensure free, fair and transparent elections in Karachi. He announced that the MMA would hold a rally in Karachi on Friday and later conventions would be held in all big and small cities of the country.

He rejected President Musharraf’s allegation that the MMA had included several new points in its demands’ list which were against Islamic teachings. He once again said the MMA was still ready to give the President one year time for taking off his uniform, but he would have to ensure sovereignty of parliament.

Qazi also rejected President Musharraf’s statement that there were 10 to 12 solutions of Kashmir issue. “There is only one solution to the Kashmir issue and that is implementation of the United Nations resolution,” he added. The Jamaat leader said the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal would oppose any move to freeze country’s nuclear programme.