MARDAN, July 15: Secretary General of JUI-F Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Friday criticized President Pervez Musharraf’s decision to send to the apex court a reference against the Hasba Act.

The JUI-F chief warned that such a move would create problems for the president.

Addressing party workers here on Friday night, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the MMA government had come to power in the NWFP after winning a majority in the general elections and it had adopted democratic means to introduce the Hasba bill in the NWFP Assembly.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman dismissed allegations levelled by the opposition and federal government that the draft of the Hasba bill had not been sent to the Islamic Ideology Council (IIC) for comments and recommendations.

He said it was the MMA’s democratic right to introduce the Hasba bill in the provincial assembly and warned that if any action was taken to undermine that right the religious party grouping would create problems for the rulers.

Maulana Fazl also criticized the role of the opposition parties in the NWFP Assembly over the bill.

The MMA leader also lambasted the policies of Gen Pervez Musharraf particularly his close alliance with the United States and said such an association had not only tarnished the country’s image but had also degraded Muslims and their faith.

He called upon party workers to play a decisive role in the upcoming local council polls and elect only sincere and honest candidates.