ISLAMABAD, Nov 23: Qazi Hussain Ahmad, parliamentary party leader of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) has said the process of dialogue among the politicians should be promoted through parliament.
“Parliament is the only credible forum which could ensure strengthening of democracy and better relations among the politicians,” he added.
Talking to reporters here on Saturday after the oath-taking ceremony of the prime minister and federal cabinet, he said, the MMA would extend all possible cooperation to the ruling party to improve political and economic conditions in the country, but not for illegal acts.
He added that there was a dire need to establish rule of law and ensure the supremacy of parliament.
“We have our reservations about the PML-Q government and that is why our cooperation would be conditional,” the MMA leader said.
Qazi Hussain said his alliance had decided to support the democratic process by holding dialogue with the ruling party on any forum. “But our prime objective would be to ensure the enforcement of Islamic laws.”
He said the MMA would join hands with other opposition parties to collectively struggle against suppression and victimization in the Pakistani society.
Answering to a question he denied that the PPP had deceived MMA in the election for the prime minister, speaker and deputy speaker. “The fact is that the PPP deceived itself and nobody can be held responsible for it,” he said, adding that right from the beginning Benazir Bhutto and her party leaders had adopted an unclear stand on important issues. “In contrast our stand was clear and transparent about everything”.
In reply to a question, the MMA leader said the government should avoid making the 1973 Constitution controversial. “I warn them again that they should not introduce unilateral amendments in the Constitution.”
He said parliament was a supreme body which only had the right and authority to amend the Constitution or introduce any new thing in it. “The Legal Framework Order (LFO) cannot become part of the Constitution as we would be taking a very tough line against it,” the MMA leader said.
He said those who were bent upon what he termed harming the sacred document (Constitution) would have to face the wrath of public.
“The best way is that detailed discussion on the LFO be made in parliament,” he said, hoping that all the opposition parties would adopt a joint stand against the LFO to ensure the supremacy of parliament.