Musharraf’s claim
that he has the backing of army is mere illusion. Army
is part of nation and President’s policies lack
the mandate of the masses. Neither MMA is a puppet alliance
nor it can be expected to be so to validate an individual’s
rule as democratic. Musharraf should restore constitution
and bow before the supremacy of the Parliament. MMA does
not want scenes of chaos and ambiance of confrontation
in the country. The religio-political alliance has been
demonstrating patience but would be forced to resort to
agitation if rulers did not set aside mulish standpoint.
These views were expressed
by Parliamentary leader of MMA and Amir of Jammat-e-Islami
Qazi Hussain Ahmad in an exclusive interview with PakTribune.
Qazi Hussain Ahmad a household
political figure of Pakistan’s political panorama.
Being a chief of Jamat-e-Islami he brought almost all
the religious leaders hailing from various religious sects
and organisations on the platform of MMA and succeeded
in grabbing a reasonable slot for the religious parties
in 2002 election when the alliance emerged as third largest
political party.
Here is the text of the
interview.
Q: People are
sick of lingering and inconclusive Govt-MMA talks? Would
they ever be result-oriented?
Qazi: President General
Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zaffarullah Khan
Jamali are to be ultimate losers if they are stick to
dilly-dallying tactics in order to buy time instead of
shedding military uniform by December 31, 2004. Parliament
is shorn of supremacy. No system is in place. MMA does
not approve of such democracy. MMA would not knuckle under
dictatorial rule in the garb of democracy. We reckon it
as crime and we would never be accomplices of this crime.
MMA would not be instrumental in putting democratic seal
of approval on dictatorship rather we are representatives
and spokesmen of the nation. MMA would deliver its duty
to the nation in earnest and with absolute candidness.
We would adopt all ways and means, which could help the
nation and country, steer out of present Parliamentary
stalemate. We do not want to see country in the grip of
instability rather we are eagerly looking forward to establishment
of stability in the country. MMA wants economic structure
to remain intact, economy to prosper and culture of foreign
investment to mushroom. We would do our damnedest best
to impress upon the government that prevailing parliamentary
deadlock and suspended constitution is not in the large
interest of the country.
Q: MMA has fixed
December 31, 2004 for President Musharraf to lay off his
military uniform then what is the hitch in its implementation?
Qazi: Our Primary objective
is not to see President General Pervez Musharraf with
his army uniform removed all MMA wants is absolute restoration
of constitution and supremacy of Parliamnt. Therefore,
Musharraf’s army uniform is not an issue. Uniform
is a frequently used word, which is being uttered by all
and sundry. Who has said that uniform should be laid off.
The uniform is worn by army chief. MMA is of the view
point that office of Chief of Army Staff and President
could not go together. According to the article (1) 63
any government official cannot claim Presidentship. The
very article of the constitution has been held in abeyance.
MMA does not insist on doing-off military uniform rather
we call for restoration of article (1)(63). Some three
years have elapsed since Musharrf took over as President
now the suspended constitution should be restored. We
have not granted December 31, 2004 for taking off President
army uniform rather it has been wrested forcibly from
us. The proposal of date came from government negotiating
side. The government is employing high-handed tactics
but there should be some limit to it. How far they would
exercise dominance.
Q: Man in the
street takes MMA as ‘B’ team of government
and is allowing government time deliberately instead of
initiating anti-government drive?
Qazi: Masses do not have
this impression of the MMA rather they (masses) have full
faith in the potential of the MMA that it would steer
them out of the crisis the country is faced with. As regards
taking hard-line posture against the government, I must
say whenever we resorted to anti-government posture we
employed all peaceful ways and means to settle the disputed
matters before resorting to the course of agitation. We
urged government to accept the solution proposed by MMA
for resolving the parliamentary crisis, which has virtually
brought the entire system to a standstill. Agreement with
MMA is in the interest of government because if it closed
all channels to resolve the issue then MMA would be left
with the hobson choice of resorting to a mass mobilization
campaign. Neither we can’t work under a dictatorial
set-up nor we can act in line with the whims and caprices
of an individual. We can’t vest in the authority
in a person to treat us like slaves. We are sincere and
hence want an amicable solution for restoration of democracy
without creating any chaos or confrontation.
Q. Is there any
possibility that MMA would extend the cut-off deadline
for the military uniform of the President? In the event
government demanded so how would MMA react to it?
Qazi:. The demonstration
of flexibility by MMA so far has been on insistence of
government but MMA has decided in principle that it would
not extend the deadline for uniform cut-off beyond December
2004. This is neither in interest of country nor nation.
If the ruling side made any attempt to transgress this
limit then we would had to close the doors of negotiations
and take the course of agitation.
Q. Do you see any hope that Govt-MMA talks would be successful?
Qazi:. So far, we are
optimistic of its success. After reaching an agreement
with MMA the government signed an accord with us through
cabinet but we spurned it. We would not launch anti-government
drive in case the constitution was restored rather we
would let parliament function.
Q. Is powerlessness
of MMA reason behind abortiveness of Govt-MMA talks so
far?
Qazi: As a matter of fact
under parliamentary system premier Jamali has all the
powers but he doesn’t invoke the power granted to
him in constitution and we are pushing Jamali to exercise
his authority. We are not negotiating directly with General
Pervez Musharraf because it is the parliament, which enjoys
all powers. Today, if the parliament passes a resolution
of restoring constitution with two third majority the
controversial LFO would be turned down by two third majority.
We have been urging Prime Minister to help restore suspended
constitution. Following the restoration of constitution
assembly would be invigorated. Jamali has a potential
to emerge as a powerful Prime Minister but General Musharraf
would not pass the necessary powers on Jamali in this
regard. Jamali would have to snatch these powers from
Musharraf. I think when General Musharraf would bar him
from attending two or three more international conferences
then he would realize his importance.
Q. How would you
respond if General Pervez Musharraf extends an invitation
to MMA to negotiate with him directly?
Qazi. We would not accept
such invitation. Negotiations on LFO have already been
concluded.
Q. ARD has categorically
stated that it would not go to accept Musharraf as president
for even a moment and even in the case MMA-Govt reaches
an agreement. Do you think that combined opposition would
be dissolved?
Qazi: If government accedes
to MMA’s conditions then all problems would be resolved
(Inshallah). MMA would bring ARD round.
Q. Election of
president through vote of confidence for which MMA agreed
with government clashes with the constitution, secondly
MMA is of the view that it was not bound to vote Gen.
Musharraf for presidency, then how could government accept
MMA’s conditions?
Qazi: If government accepted
our conditions then MMA would propose that Gen. Musharraf
gets elected as president through Electoral College for
a term, however this solution would be hammered out for
time being. An agreement has been reached between MMA
and Govt but now government is retreating from its commitments.
We have not come up with a new proposal. MMA thinks that
it was not bound to vote Musharraf as Musharraf has no
need to get our votes. There is only need of our support
is for the amendment in the constitution to seek a way
for election of Musharraf as president. PML has enough
majority to elect him as president.
Q. In case all
differences are ironed out between MMA and govt then would
MMA like to become part of government?
Qazi: No we are not going
to become a part of government despite an agreement on
all contentious issues. MMA would not support Gen. Musharraf
regime on foreign policy issues including Iraq, Afghanistan
and Palestine policy.
Q. Who do you
think is responsible for the military interference in
political system?
Qazi: Politicians are
responsible for military’s interruption into political
arena. They used military support as a tool to lengthen
their tenures and covering their ill deeds. Governor General
Ghulam Muhammad counted on Ayub Khan and that’s
where the vicious cycle started. Politicians should find
a way out to keep military out of politics through mutual
consultations. General Pervez Musharraf has involved military
in civil institutions. Army should go back to barracks.
Intelligence agencies including ISI could only be kept
out of politics if politicians cease to become their instruments.
Instead of talking to agencies the political parties should
interact with each other.
Q. Apprehension
has been expressed regarding the integrity of the country
and nation. Are you satisfied with preparedness of armed
forces for defending the geographical borders of the country?
Qazi: The ideological
and geographical boundaries of the country could only
become impregnable when a democratic government is at
the helm of affairs. That is why we have been insisting
on the restoration of constitution but Gen. Musharraf
has not been responding us positively.
Thank you, Qazi Sahib
Qazi: You are welcome
