QUETTA, Sept 4: The opposition leader in the National Assembly, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, on Saturday criticized the government for promoting the United States interests and raiding seminaries.

Speaking at a public meeting at the Sardar Baz Mohammad Jogezai Park in Loralai, he said the US and Pakistan had during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan trained the Mujahideen who were now being dubbed as Al Qaeda.

He said the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal was playing a vital role in countering US interference in the region.

He alleged that President Gen Pervez Musharraf had formulated the foreign policy at the behest of the US, that did not reflect the aspirations of the people.

He said the people had rejected the rulers' policy on Afghanistan and Kashmir.

He said the MMA would follow an independent foreign policy, respect the aspirations of the people and safeguard the national interest.