The Jamaat-e-Islami would besiege the parliament on February 3 if the government allows resumption of supplies to forces NATO in Afghanistan through Pakistan, the party’s ameer Munawar Hasan said on Tuesday.
Addressing a “Meet the Press” programme at the Karachi Press Club, Hasan dubbed the issue of missing people and drone attacks as an “offshoot” of the ongoing military operations in various parts of the country.
“The army chief should rid the country of use of force, which is fanning anti-Pakistan sentiments among the affected people,” he said.
The JI chief claimed that the basis for ongoing negotiations between the US and the Taliban is that the two sides have in custody “very important” figures from each other’s side.
He also condemned what he referred to as “West-backed de-radicalisation” scheme that is aimed at brainwashing the people of Bajaur, North Waziristan and other tribal areas.
The JI chief said if the government lifts the ban on NATO supplies, his party would the power of the masses to block the land routes used transporting these goods to Afghanistan.
About the perceived resumption of NATO supplies, the JI ameer said Pakistan People’s Party’s Raza Rabbani, who heads the committee deliberating on the issue, is expected to present a positive report on the issue in the parliament on February 3. “The JI has started contacting other political parties to launch a joint protest,” he added.
Criticising the “so-called democratic” rulers for their conciliatory policy towards the “dangerous friend” America, Hasan said the government is weighing the conditions for the restoration of NATO supplies. “What conditions can be set at the cost of freedom?” he asked.
Holding the Indian consulates in Afghanistan responsible for destabilising Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, the JI chief said the Baloch should be brought back to the national mainstream by addressing the issues that have caused a sense of deprivation among them.
He was also critical of the government for continuing the Musharraf-era policies as well as prolonging their rule in the name of reconciliation during the last four years.
“Pakistan’s current foreign policy is facilitating Americans achieve their interests in the region,” he claimed.
Calling “dialogue” an ultimate remedy to the US-led international war against terror, Hasan recalled that Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Irish Republican Army of Northern Ireland and Yasir Arafat of Palestine were once considered biggest terrorists. “But their opponents eventually turned to talks and the three appeared as heroes on the international horizon,” he added.
About the forthcoming Senate elections, he said though the JI would lose its seats in the polls, his party has a greater chance to win a number of seats in the lower house in the fast approaching general elections.
About granting the Most Favoured Nation status to India, he said the parliament had denied reports of giving consent to trade concessions for the bordering country and blamed the government for taking the nation arbitrarily.
