DERA ISMAIL KHAN, April 12: Speaking at a big gathering at Zafarabad Colony, Jamiat Ulem-i-Islam (JUI) Amir Maulana Fazlur Rehman has flayed the proposed presidential referendum, and termed it an unconstitutional step to remain in power.

He said that through the so-called referendum, present rulers were trying to suspend all the democratic process and political activities in the country.

Maulana said Musharraf’s plan of holding a referendum was aimed at legitimizing his stay in the presidential office, and it had proved his disinterest in restoring real democracy in the country.

JUI chief said that on the one hand General Musharaf was criticizing Ayub Khan and Ziaul Haq while on the other he was seeking cooperation from their sons— Gohar Ayub khan and Ejazul Haq. It was sufficient to prove that he had adopted dual policies.

He said that every Pakistani respected our forces, but the forces should also fulfil their responsibility to save the geographical boundaries and the integrity of the country.

The army, he said, had ruled the country for over 50 years, which was the root cause of the weakening of democracy in our country.

“Presently, again the country is in the grip of a commando, and the nation is a hostage”, he added.

Maulana also criticized the election commissioner and said that Justice Irshad Hassan Khan should differentiate between a referendum and an election.

Lashing out at the US role, Maulana said the United States had never been sincere towards the Muslims and it always had crushed the Ummah.