LAHORE, March 28: The Millat Party President, Farooq Leghari, has opposed the Anglo-American move to install a government of their choice in Iraq after ousting President Saddam Hussein, saying no country has the right to impose an administration of its liking on the other.

Raising this point at a function held at his party office on Friday, he said every country had the right to choose its own government without any foreign interference.

On the US invasion of Iraq, the former president said it was in violation of the UN charter, and the world had rejected it. He added that all the countries should strive to bring an end to the invasion, rising above their religious considerations.

According to Mr Leghari, the Iraqis should have the right to choose a government of its liking.

Referring to the resistance being offered by Iraq, he said the aggressors could not expect garlands from their victims. In his assessment, he said the US would not be able to achieve its targets in Iraq, no matter what plans it harboured for the oil-rich state. The Iraqi president could prolong the ‘war’ with a better strategy, but this would claim more lives of the innocent people.

However, the Millat party chief said he had no sympathy with President Saddam for his conduct. But, as it was a question of principles, he claimed that he was supporting Iraq’s point of view in the ongoing conflict. He believed once the clash in Iraq was over, the US would not be in a position to target any other country.

He dispelled the impression that Pakistan was next on the US hit list. He said the US or the UK would never attack Pakistan. However, he said Pakistan faced a serious threat from the internal enemies — poverty and unemployment.

He said the world peace was in danger at present. President Saddam, he said, had first imposed a war on Iran on the instigation of the United States, which led to two million deaths. Now the US had targeted Saddam Hussein, he said, adding the US attack was without any justification.

Mr Leghari said Pakistan wanted to live in harmony with India without compromising its stand on the Kashmir issue.

He underlined the need for women empowerment for the uplift of the country. He said the objective could be achieved by promoting literacy.