ISLAMABAD, Oct 11: President Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) Qazi Hussain Ahmad has offered cooperation to the government from the religio-political alliance in relief and rehabilitation efforts for earthquake victims of earthquake, and called for cancellation of the meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) convened on Wednesday.

“There is no justification at all for convening the meeting of the extra-constitutional institution at this point of time when there is a need for national unity”, he said while speaking at a press conference here on Tuesday. Deputy secretary-general MMA, Hafiz Hussain Ahmad, NWFP Senior Minister Sirajul Haq, Coordinator Al-Khidmat Foundation Naimatullah Khan were present on the occasion.

Qazi Hussain observed that an attempt to impose unconstitutional institutions would divide the nation. He called for a coordination between the Army and the civilian institutions in view of gravity of the situation and said no controversial steps should be taken at this stage.

He said the opposition is ready to discuss with the government ways and means to meet the enormous challenge arising out of the death and destruction caused by the earthquake, but it should be on a forum other than the National Security Council. He suggested convening of an All Party Conference (APC) to evolve a joint-strategy to deal with the situation and noted that the forum of the Parliament can also be used for the purpose.

Qazi Hussain Ahmad also demanded that the government should immediately stop operation in North Waziristan to create a congenial atmosphere for cooperation between the Army and the public.

He appealed to the people to observe Friday as Yaum- i-Astaghfar and Dua (day of absolution and prayer).

He castigated the government for concealing facts about the magnitude of loss caused by the earthquake saying that it was a natural calamity and not a man-made disaster. “Nobody is going to hold Gen Musharraf responsible for the loss caused by the earthquake, if correct figures and facts are made public”, he remarked.

He said despite all political differences with the PPP, he would not hesitate from saying that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had effectively highlighted the true picture of natural catastrophe in 1974, which helped evoke a prompt response from the international community.

He said 100 per cent houses of Muzaffarabad and Bagh have been affected by the earthquake. He said people are in urgent need of tents, blankets, edible items. He said there is also need for disinfectants and vaccines in the earthquake affected areas.

Qazi Hussain who is also the Amir of Jamaat-i-Islami said the Al-Khidmat Foundation of the Jammat has collected cash donations of Rs20 million and relief goods valuing Rs20 million.

He said the Al-Khdmat Foundation has set up relief camps in the provincial headquarters and Rawalpindi/Islamabad.