MMA vows to continue struggle for true democracy

Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) has vowed to continue its drive until the army rule in the country is ended and true democracy restored. In the religious alliance's 'Million March', held here near Taxali Gate, Ravi Road for which the administration accorded permission on Tuesday night, the MMA also reiterated its stance to observe complete shutter down and wheel-jam on April 2 in protest against the wrong policies of the President.
It is pertinent to mention that the MMA wanted to hold its rally at Mall Road, but the administration imposed section-144 in the area to avert any kind of political activity there.
Addressing the participants of Million March, MMA chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed said that Pakistanis would never accept American slavery. 'The country is still under the grip of the military and feudal rule who are dictated by the West', he said.
Despite the passage of over 50 years, Qazi regretted, neither Pakistan could become an Islamic country nor a true democratic country. The Jamaat Islami Ameer stated that the teachings of Quran and Sunnah have been excluded from the educational syllabus by adopting the syllabus of Aga Khan Board.
Condemning the house arrest of national hero and creator of indigenous nuclear programme, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, Qazi said Khan is not being provided justice. He stated that Islamic and true public representatives would soon replace the present rulers.
Leader of the Opposition, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said on the occasion that MMA would continue its struggle against anti-Islamic and aggressive policies of General Musharraf.
"'The US forces have killed hundreds of thousands of innocent people in Afghanistan and Iraq, and unlawfully occupied both the countries. General Musharraf is playing in the hands of Western powers and making fun of Islamic norms by promoting obscenity in the country," he added.
The JUI leader claimed that US Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice during her recent visit to Pakistan gave some dictates to implement the US agenda. "If Musharraf remains in power, there is no possibility of free and fair elections in the country. Despite presenting five budgets, the puppet Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has failed to check escalating price hike," he said.
Fazlur Rehman said that MMA's movement would continue till the restoration of true democracy, supremacy of parliament, restoration of Constitution as it was on 12th October 1999.
Professor Sajid Mir said in his speech that the country has been put under the slavery of America. The public is being crushed through "petrol and price-hike bombs." This country was not created for holding celebrations like Basant festival, he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan said that Musharraf is rightly saying that the country has no external threat rather facing internal threats.
He was of the view that the country is facing severe threats due to Pervez Musharraf. Musharraf's policy of enlightenment and moderation means complete slavery of America, enforcement of Western culture on Muslims in Pakistan and introduction of "Made in Washington Islam" in the country, Imran added.
Talking about corruption, Imran Khan said the Sindh chief minister has levelled allegations of Rs 12 billion embezzlement against his own minister but the government even did not allow the NAB to hold investigation into the matter. "Does NAB suppose to interrogate only Patwari-level officials and minister and bureaucrats are above the law?" he asked.
The Tehreek-e-Insaf chief also invited the MMA leadership to participate in party's public meeting at Swat on March 25.
In his speech, MMA Punjab chief Liaquat Baloch said that the present rulers have become 'security risk' for the country. "President Musharraf is tarnishing the image of the country by implementing his six-point agenda," he said.
According to Liaquat Baloch, Musharraf deviated from Supreme Court's decision and maintained his illegal occupation since October 1999. Musharraf also manipulated general elections by using state machinery and changed the minority into majority through unfair means to fulfil his lust of power, Baloch added.
He demanded fresh election for the office of president as per Constitutional requirements. The MMA Punjab chief claimed that all the opposition parties are united against Musharraf.
Baloch called for an independent and impartial election commission to hold fair and free general elections in the country.
Among others, Maulana Rashid Ahmad Ludhianvi, Maulana Qari Zawar Bahadur, Malik Bashir Nizami, Pir Abdul Rahim Naqshbandi, Rana Nasrullah and Abdul Jalil Naqvi also spoke on the occasion.