ISLAMABAD Aug 16: Criticizing what it called ‘unjustified’ arrests of Jamaat-i-Islami and Islami Jamiat Tulaba workers in Karachi, the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) has said that the MQM government sensing the ‘clear lead’ of MMA-backed candidates in Karachi and other parts of Sindh, has resorted to using the administrative machinery against the alliance.

In a press statement issued here on Tuesday, MMA Deputy Secretary-General Liaquat Baloch accused the Election Commission (EC) of ignoring the ‘involvement of government functionaries — including the president, prime minister, federal and provincial ministers — in the election campaign of government-sponsored’ candidates.

He said the Muttahida Qaumi Movement was continuing with the use of methods of violence and harassment of voters and, after seeing failure of all steps aimed at pre-poll rigging, now had come down to use government machinery to suppress the opposition.

The MMA leader said the people of Karachi were aware of peaceful political activities of the JI and its unblemished past and former city district government’s performance was a clear proof of it.

He said the people were aware that rioting, creating terror and violence was the hallmark of the MQM’s politics and not that of the JI.

Turning to the NWFP situation, he said although Senior Provincial Minister Sirajul Haq was summoned by the court on ‘baseless’ charges, he had proved that the MMA believed in rule of law by appearing in the court.

On the other hand, Mr Baloch said, not only the president, prime minister, federal and provincial ministers were involved in running ‘official’ candidates’ campaign, entire administrative machinery had been dragged in the fray while no one was taking notice of it.

He said there were clear evidences of government functionaries’ involvement in violation of the Code of Conduct issued by the EC but the commission’s continued ignoring of it had made the election process doubtful.

He said such tactics would only add to bad reputation of the government and lead to defeat of ‘its’ candidates as the Islam loving voters would knock them out.