The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) would not back any “unconstitutional” move culminating in the departure of the PPP-led government as such a move would weaken the democratic system in the country, JUI-F Central Secretary General Abdul Ghafoor Haideri said in an exclusive interview with Pakistan Today on Wednesday.
“There are constitutional ways as well to bring an in-house change. Our party would not be part of any movement or sit-in to dislodge an elected government,” Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Haideri said.
Doubts: Casting doubts over the success of efforts for formation of a grand opposition alliance, he said there was an atmosphere of mistrust amongst the opposition parties, adding that a grand alliance of the opposition parties would remain a distant dream until all agreed on a common agenda with clear targets.
‘Corrupt parties’: Haideri said there was a lack of political leadership in the country, adding that the two main political parties, the PPP and the PML-N did nothing but promote corruption as and whenever they ruled the country.
He promised to give an ‘able’ leadership to the country after the upcoming general elections.
No possibility: To a question on the possibility of mid-term polls in the country, Haideri said “I don’t see that… neither we demand it nor we are willing to be part of any such demand. The elected government has been given a five-year mandate and accountability should be left for the next general elections.”
To a question about Karachi violence, the JUI-F leader said foreign elements as well as three major political parties in Sindh were responsible for the situation in Karachi.
The opposition leader in the Senate said India was also active in disrupting peace in the city, adding that it wanted to take revenge from Pakistan for Kashmir. He said the US might leave Afghanistan but it would not leave Pakistan. “The US has established terrorist camps across Pakistan,” he added.
Asked about the on-going controversy over the appointment of Senate opposition leader, Haideri said the earlier decision taken by the Senate chairman was valid as it was based on facts. He said the chairman enjoyed discretionary powers as no election was conducted to decide the nomination for the slot. He said the PML-N should have known that no political party could be pressurised through such tactics.
“The PML-N attitude can neither strengthen the opposition nor can it help promote democratic norms in the country,” he said, adding that the Nawaz-led party should accept the ground reality.
To a question on the MQM’s inclination towards the PML-N after their joining the opposition benches, Haideri said, “We have welcomed the MQM on the opposition benches and MQM chief Altaf Hussain has assured us of their support in the Senate and we would move forward jointly.”
On the revival of the MMA, the JUI-F secretary general said it was not good for the Jamaat-e-Islami to attach conditions with the revival of the six-party religio-political alliance. However, after the realisation among the religious parties for a joint platform, he hoped that efforts in this regard would soon meet success. Asked to comment on the suspension of US aid to Pakistan, Haideri called it a good development, saying it would provide the country an opportunity to stand on its own feet. “The rulers must learn to depend upon indigenous resources,” he added.
Asked to comment on the recently-organised lesbian function at the US embassy in Islamabad, Haideri called it part of the US World Order. He condemned it and urged the US authorities to restrict such trends to its own territorial limits. “Our society is not willing to accept such uncivilised activities,” he added.
