LAHORE: Chief of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Thursday said there was no harm if military and judiciary were taken on board in discussions on formation of an interim government.

“Although it is not mandatory under the Constitution, there seems to be no problem in taking the judiciary and military on board on the matter,” he said in reply to questions put up by journalists during a press conference at central office of the South Asia Free Media Association (Safma).

Commenting on the demands of Tehrik-i-Minhajul Quran (TMQ), he said he was yet to understand what Dr Tahirul Qadri actually wanted.

“His demand to dissolve the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is wrong. When even Supreme Court cannot dissolve it then how can the government?”

Dr Qadri was demanding electoral reforms but the process had already been made transparent with the collective efforts of all political forces, including the JUI-F, he said.

The Maulana avoided naming any institution which might be backing the TMQ when questioned about the role of military on the issue. But he said the work being done by Dr Qadri couldn’t be managed without meaningful and effective support. He said none of the political or religious parties were supporting the TMQ and criticised Dr Qadri for keeping mum when the NRO was being introduced during the Musharraf regime.

The TMQ leader was giving an impression as if he enjoyed the support of the military or judiciary, he alleged.

The JUI-F chief said the decision to bring Balochistan under governor rule was unwise but still demanded its replication in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where, according to him, the situation was far more serious.

Tension at the Line of Control was among the new problems being faced by the country.

“Military leadership must tackle the LoC issue without affecting the on-going efforts of maintaining peace between the two countries,” he said adding that he had already asked the Indian leadership to foil any bid which could affect determination of the two countries to resolve various issues.

Talking about giving the MFN status to India, Maulana Rehman said the Islamic Ideology Council had asked the quarters concerned to brief it on this issue. He asked the government to resolve this issue before initiating trade with India under the MFN status.

Earlier, Imtiaz Alam urged the two countries to resolve the LoC issue by taking confidence-building measures.