Why should we apologise: Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman

Qazi Hussain Ahmed, President Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) and Amir Jamat-e-Islami (JI), has held President Musharraf directly responsible for the May 12 carnage in Karachi, saying that without his patronage the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) could never have spread violence and terrorism in the city.MMA Secretary General Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman said that the alliance was ready to topple Q-league government in Balochistan, provided the opposition parties extend support in this regard.Both the MMA leaders were addressing lawyers at Karachi Bar Association on Wednesday. The entire MMA leadership visited KBA to share grief and express solidarity with the lawyers as well as the people of Karachi in the backdrop of May 12 carnage.The Maulana said that governor's rule would be imposed as soon as MMA parted ways with the coalition government in the province, adding, but then the nation would blame MMA for paving way for dictatorship. "We invite all the opposition parties to join MMA for the restoration of democracy in the coalition government. In such circumstances, MMA would not demand for the chief ministership," he added. However, when the lawyers asked him to apologise for supporting LFO, the Maulana refused the demand, saying that it was Gen Musharraf who deviated from his commitment.Those accompanied him included: Meraj-ul-Huda, Nasrullah Shaji, Laiq Ahmed, Asadullah Bhutto, Siddique Rathore and Anas Noorani. On the occasion, the Maulana categorically said that Altaf Hussain had lost people's confidence and his party no more represents Karachi. "MQM had let loose a reign of terror on May 12 under president's (Musharraf's) protection," he added. The government, he alleged, wanted to create ethnic and linguistic riots in the city but there was no Pukhtoon-Muhajir clashes, adding, such nefarious designs would not be tolerated.Fazal-ur-Rehman said that MMA believed in the rights of political parties and wanted to see Karachi prosper, adding, "Our founder member is also Urdu speaking and we have spiritual relationship with those speaking Urdu".He, however, added that certain elements were promoting a culture of aggression, violence and terrorism to achieve their nefarious designs. The basic issue, he added, was the independence of judiciary as all issues were linked with it, adding, without an independent judiciary, democracy could never be restored in the country. Later talking to media persons, he ruled out holding talks with the MQM, saying: "Talks could not be held with terrorists, as everyone knows who was responsible for May 12 carnage that tarnished Pakistan's image across the globe". On a query, the Maulana said that Benazir Bhutto has ironically refused to sit with the MMA.Speaking on the occasion, Qazi Hussain termed Benazir's decision unwise, saying that PPP had isolated itself from mainstream politics. "Benazir is riding a sinking boat and she might lose people's trust by showing willingness to become prime minister under Musharraf's presidentship," he added. On a query regarding 17th Amendment, he said: "It exists no more, as we had entered an agreement in 2002 for the sake of democracy when the president had promised to doff his uniform but now he has deviated so we are no more bound with that accord". Responding to a question regarding the three-day strike called by Pakhtoon Action Committee, he said the final decision to this effect would be taken after consulting other leaders of the alliance.While coming to the podium Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman was given a tough time by the lawyers who started shouting slogans: "Apologise with the nation for being the part of 17th Amendment and LFO".He, however, countered the situation by saying: "We politicians know our jurisdiction very well and nobody could dictate us." He put up a cross question before the lawyers, asking as to why they did not ask the judges who took oath under PCO to apologise with the nation. "Lawmaking in the parliament is the right of political parties. When we did not interfere in judiciary affairs, then why you are pressurising us to tender apology. Why should we apologise. What we did in the past was in the good faith of the nation," he reiterated. "Instead of raising controversial issues, it's better to discuss basic concern i.e. the filing of reference against the CJP and independence of judiciary, as these matters are deeply rooted in the restoration of democracy in the country," he added. While the session was going on, live transmission of Geo and Ary was suspended for about an hour, as General Secretary KBA Naeem Qureshi told the audience that he received phone calls from outside Pakistan.

Channel: News & Politics
Uploaded: May 24, 2007 at 11:56 am
Author: Aveei

Length: 01:12
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Tags: ahmad  Fazl-ur-Rehman  geo  hussain  karachi  Maulana  mqm  musharraf  pakistan  pervez  qazi  tv  urdu  

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