KARACHI, 22 January — Leaders of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), a newly-formed alliance of various religious parties, has hinted that country’s religious parties may contest the forthcoming elections under MMA platform.
Addressing the "Defense of Pakistan Conference" arranged by MMA at Karachi Press Club on Sunday night these leaders said country’s religious parties are united under the MMA banner. It is a "historical step" taken for the first time in the country, they added.
MMA Chairman and Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan (JUP) chief Maulana Shah Ahmed Noorani criticized the government campaign against religious parties. About Pakistan’s role in international coalition against terrorism, Noorani quoted verses from the Holy Qur’an and said a non-Muslim can never be a friend of the Muslims.
He emphasized the need for joint struggle by religious parties to counter secular elements in the country and termed them as agents of the United States and Britain. Highlighting the problems facing the Muslims in Kashmir, Chechnya and Palestine, he prayed to God for their success.
Addressing the gathering, acting president of the Jamaat-e-Islami Syed Munawwar Hassan said that the religious parties would continue their struggle.
He said that the arrests of their fellow leaders could not deter them from raising voice for the truth. The government itself was disturbed after arresting these leaders, he added.
The JI leader asked the army to do its real job i.e. safeguarding the borders of the country. "There is a strong relation between armed forces and masses as both believe in jihad," he said.
JUI (Fazlur Rahman group) General Secretary Hafiz Hussain Ahmed strongly criticized the government policies and demanded of the rulers to disclose actual situation to the whole nation. He claimed that the US wanted to make another Israel in South Asia.
