ISLAMABAD, Dec 9: The Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl) has termed unilateral Jamaat-i-Islami amir Qazi Hussain Ahmad’s decision of directing his party’s legislators to continue boycott of the National Assembly and not to receive perks and privileges.

JUI-F secretary-general Abdul Ghafoor Haidri told Online on Saturday that the Jamaat-i-Islami chief had taken the decision in his personal capacity.

As far as the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal was concerned, no decision had been taken at any forum to boycott the assembly, he said.

He said Qazi Hussain had said in the recently MMA parliamentary party meeting that he would soon convene a meeting of the alliance’s supreme council and all the matters would be settled there.

Mr Haidri said it was the responsibility and national obligation of all the members to keep the MMA united.

He said the MMA had challenged President Pervez Musharraf’s policies during the past seven years.

He said Gen Musharraf was making derogatory remarks against the MMA and religious forces to divert people’s attention from ‘the real issues’, which did not suit a head of state.

The JUI-F leader vowed to continue struggle against those who supported the women’s protection bill.

Sources said the Jamaat-i-Islami had informed the National Assembly secretariat about its decision that its members would not receive official perks and privileges.

The members are: Hanif Abbasi, Qazi Hameedullah, Hafiz Salman Butt, Farid Ahmed Paracha, Liaquat Baloch, Laeeq Khan, M. Hussain Mehnti, Asadullah Bhutto, Shabir Ahmed, Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Sabir Hussain Awan, Qari Fiazur Rehman, Dr Attaur Rehman, Khalil Ahmed, Fazal Subhan, Abdul Akbar Chitrali, Mian Aslam, Farida Ahmed, Kaniz Ayesha Munawar, Razia Aziz, Samia Raheel Qazi and Balqees Saif.—Online