KARACHI, July 3: Jamat-i-Islami (JI) on Thursday contended that sending Pakistani troops to Iraq in order to assist the US and the British forces would be tantamount to strengthening foreign occupation of a Muslim country.

Talking to newsmen, JI Secretary-General Syed Munawar Hassan said the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal believed in peaceful solution of national problems, however, the rulers, he said, were forcing the public and the politicians to adopt the course of protest and agitation.

“We have always shown patience in face of provocative acts by the government, otherwise situation of law and order and peace would have been shattered in the country,” he said and accused the rulers of destabilizing the country internally.

Other MMA leaders, including JI Karachi’s Amir Dr Merajul Huda Siddiqui and MMA MNAs and MPAs were also present on the occasion.

Mr Siddiqui alleged that foreign intervention in Pakistan’s internal affairs was increasing day by day.

He claimed that religious parties enjoyed overwhelming support of the people and they would foil attempts to harm national unity and interests of the country with the help of Allah Almighty and the people of Pakistan.

Bitterly criticizing President Pervez Musharraf, Mr Munawar Hassan said the president was criticizing the NWFP government in front of international leaders, which was unethical.—PPI