KARACHI, Jan 12: The parliamentary leader of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal and chief of Jamaat-i-Islami, Qazi Hussain Ahmad, has urged people to vote for the MMA in Jan 15 by-election.

He said that it would be a declaration to protect their independence, national sovereignty and security, besides manifesting the belief that the people are against the pro- US policies of Gen Pervez Musharraf.

Speaking at an election rally of MMA candidate for NA-242 at the Al-Khidmat Hospital ground in Orangi Town on Sunday, Qazi Hussain Ahmed said that the victory of MMA in the by-election would be the success of the masses, because, he added, the MMA had emerged on the political horizon as “a minaret of light and its victory at the national level has reinvigorated confidence among people.”

The JI chief said that the MMA was like a cast iron wall and it would not allow the US designs to succeed in Pakistan.

On Jan 15, he maintained, no coercion, threat or rigging would be tolerated and every move to take over polling stations would be resisted as “we knew very well how to meet such challenges.”

He said the enthusiasm among people was an indication that they would vote in favour of the MMA, which would be a vote against terrorism, extortion and for developing harmony among the Ummah as well as for the supremacy of parliament and the constitution.