KARACHI, March 30: Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed has said defiance of suspended Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry opened new avenues to public, political parties and other sections of society to clean up the mess created by military rulers.

The regime can be compelled to hold fair polls with autonomous judiciary only when public join the ongoing struggle and all parties put sincere efforts, he said while addressing ‘Meet the Press’ programme at the Karachi Press Club on Friday.

He said military interventions in national affairs could be stopped only if the nation would support the suspended CJP, as this was not a struggle for a single man but for the sake of judiciary and nation.

About detention of a woman by Madressah Hafsa students who was reportedly running a brothel in Islamabad, he said there were 26 brothels being run in one sector of the Capital. He said gambling dens and brothels could not be run without official patronage. He said many guesthouses were serving as brothels and area people had repeatedly lodged their protest, but laws were devised to restrain police taking action against them.

Qazi Hussain said military regime had failed to establish political stability while freedom and sovereignty was put on stake “as the country was being run on US directives. He roundly rebuked military operation in Balochistan, Waziristan and other areas. “In Wana and Tank tribal clashes are being designed which are developing a sense of disappointment and anger in public,” he said.

He said the ARD, the MMA, the PONM, lawyer fraternity and civil society were agreed that General Musharraf should step down, chairman of the senate be appointed acting president, parliament should form an interim government with consensus and if required minor changes in Constitution be brought to ensure fair elections.

When asked about the possibilities for the MMA to quit Balochistan government, he said Maulana Fazlur Rehman while talking to PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif had made it clear that the MMA could quit the government if all other parties supported them to avoid governor rule in the province.

On speculations about re-election of Pervez Musharraf from the present electoral, he said all parties should agree on one-point agenda in this regard.

Earlier on his arrival at the Club, KPC President Sabihuddin Ghausi and General Secretary Imtiaz Faran welcomed the MMA chief who was accompanied by Prof Ghafoor, Muhammad Hussain Mahenti, Nasrullah Shaji and Younus Barai.—PPI