Jamaat Shoora gives go-ahead to Qazi

Published November 18, 2002

LAHORE, Nov 17: The Jamaat-i-Islami Shoora and newly-elected MPs on Sunday reposed their confidence in Qazi Husain Ahmad and authorized him to take whatever steps he deemed appropriate to promote party’s interest in the political arena.

Earlier, Qazi Husain briefed participants about the talks so far held with the government and political parties to break the political deadlock.

They were told of the options and chances to join the treasury as well as the opposition benches in the new government setup, besides various aspects of the Legal Framework Order.

The Qazi told them that the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) would continue to follow the strategy of dialogue instead of creating any political deadlock so that the country could be put on the road to democracy.

He said our first and foremost priority was to make the MMA a centre of hopes of the masses and keeping their expectations alive.

The meeting adopted a unanimous resolution, expressing deep concern over the arrogant and aggressive attitude of the incumbent US leadership and considered it a major threat to the world peace and rights of nations and individuals.

It condemned the US policy towards Islamic movements and relief organizations and religious personalities in the name of so-called war on terror.

“Washington is trying to link every vice to some Islamic group or personality in one way or the other which is not only against the established principles of justice and law but also a great threat to all the nations.”

It condemned the arrest of Dr.Amir Aziz Khan at the behest of the US administration and contradictory statements of the government before the courts and violating their clear directions.

Demanding immediate release of Dr.Khan, it termed the government’s attitude intolerable and interference of the US in national affairs a threat to the country’s freedom and independence. It also condemned the arrest of Gulbadin Hikmatyar’s son-in-law Dr.Ghairat Baheer and demanded his release.

The JI Shoora also protested the “murder” of Aimal Kasi and termed it a crime against humanity. It also chided then Pakistan rulers who had shown cowardice and shamelessness by handing over Kasi to America.

The JI considered all these acts part of the US policy to establish its hegemony in the world. It asked new parliament to frame a balanced and respectable foreign policy to safeguard the interests of the country.