KARACHI, Jan 18: Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal on Sunday launched a mass contact campaign for the enforcement of its 17-point Nizam-i-Mustafa programme which was described by the alliance as the only solution to the country's many problems.
MMA chief Qazi Hussain Ahmad, who was addressing a press conference on Sunday at Idara Noor-i-Haq, said the four threats to the country which President Pervez Musharraf had mentioned in his speech at a joint parliamentary session, could only be dealt with if it got rid of American influence.
He said it was the US which was bracketing the Muslims with terrorists and accusing Pakistan of interfering in the affairs of Afghanistan. The Americans were also accusing Pakistan of nuclear proliferation and cross-border terrorism in Kashmir.
Qazi Hussain Ahmad said Pakistan could only meet these challenges provided it came out of US tutelage. He said like in the past the nation would commemorate the "Kashmir Solidarity Day" throughout the country on Feb 5 as this was a national issue and conspiracies against the Kashmir cause could be dealt with by observing this day.
The MMA chief - who was flanked by Hafiz Hussain Ahmad and Maulana Abdul Karim Abid of JUI, Liaquat Baloch and Dr Mairajul Huda Siddiqui of JI and Allama Hasan Turabi and Allama Aun Muhammad Naqvi of Tehreek-i-Islami - condemned the on-and-of increase in rates of petroleum and gas. Demanding the release of Allama Sajid Naqvi and arrest of the real killers of Maulana Azam Tariq, he advised President Gen Pervez Musharraf to avoid showing clenched fists or saluting people, if he wanted to be taken as a democratic leader.
Earlier, he read out the 17 points which form the basis of the MMA campaign. "We want to enforce true Islamic system in the country and the 17 points covers all aspects of Nizam-i-Shariat whose implementation would established Nizam-i-Mustafa in the country."
The 17 points include amendment in Article 2 of the Constitution in which Quran and Sunnah be declared as the supreme law of the land in whose contravention no legislation could be made and all existing laws within a determined period be made in accordance to Shariah in the light of the recommendations of Islamic Ideology Council.
Article 89 of the Constitution be repealed which had rendered the parliament a rubber stamp and the legislation work was being done through ordinances. Besides, in section 248 of the Constitution possibility of legal action with regard to misuse of power be reviewed so that the accountability process not be hung in balance as this section was an obstacle in effective and neutral role of NAB.
Other demands pertain to similar terms of service for judges of Shariat court as were given in the Constitution for the judges of the superior courts. Recommendations of the Islamic Ideology Council be discussed in the parliament. Friday's weekly holiday be revived, all economic, education and media policies be framed in the light of Islamic teachings. Foreign policy be framed on the ideological basis of the country, nuclear programme be protected and women be given due rights.