JEDDAH, 18 November 2002 — The most significant feature of the recent parliamentary elections is the realization among the army’s top brass that they could no longer wish away the political might of the religious parties, according to a prominent leader of Jamaat-e-Islami.
“Gen. Pervez Musharraf has realized that this is not Oct. 12, 1999... We are in 2002 where Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) — a conglomeration of religious parties — is a political force that the generals have to deal with,” said Farid Ahmad Peracha, deputy secretary-general of Jamaat-e-Islami.
Peracha who was visiting the Kingdom at the invitation of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth said the MMA was ready to give up its claim of prime ministership with a view to furthering the cause of democracy. “We will not allow anti-democracy forces to exploit this fluid situation to their benefit. We know it is a hung Parliament and that it is a divided mandate. Therefore, all our efforts will be geared toward strengthening the country’s democratic institutions,” Peracha said at the weekend. “This is the primary reason why MMA is engaged in talks with all political parties.”
Peracha, who won the recent elections from Lahore’s Constituency No. 121, however, clarified that there was no compromise on or dilution of the alliance’s core agenda. “We want American bases to go... We are a sovereign nation and will remain so and will not allow ourselves to be remote-controlled by forces inimical to our interests.”
He said contrary to the popular belief in the outside world that the MMA was bunch of crazy religious bigots, “We have some of the nicest representatives around... They are educated people, free from corruption and, most important, have the interests of Pakistan at heart.”
“Five years down the line we want to see Pakistan in safe hands... We want the common man to benefit from our programs... There is a dire need to tackle unemployment... the rising number of suicide cases along the countryside is alarming...
It is indicative of the fact that an average man is under tremendous pressure to eke out a living. MMA wants to make a difference in their lives by implementing Shariah and we will, God willing, do it,” said Peracha.
The JI leader said co-education was not a problem. “The issue at stake is education itself... There are so many areas in Pakistan where there is not even a single school to impart education. Currently, we are more interested in providing basic education to as many Pakistanis as we can.”
Peracha said Pakistan wants to have good relations with all its neighbors. “We are interested in constructive and fruitful dialogue with India. However, if India insists on Kashmir being its integral part, then there is no point in talking and everything is meaningless,” he added.