Army interventions impeded political stability: Qazi

The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal President Qazi Hussain Ahmed on Tuesday ruled out the possibility of a popular anti-Musharraf movement sans opposition's joint stand. Speaking at an Iftar-dinner here at his residence, MMA leader held the military responsible for inconsistent democratic system, which forced the masses to distance itself from politics.
He was of the view that all the opposition parties should go to the masses, as a big majority of them had no more interest in politics, mainly due to the military-triggered political instability over the years. "Awakening of the people at a massive scale is cardinal to bring in a big change in the political system," he firmly believed.
Qazi asserted that the regular army interventions had impeded political stability, making the Parliament and the public representatives subservient to them. MMA leader, who parried questions about the news of deal between the government and Pakistan Peoples' Party Parliamentarians, and as to who was creating hurdle in the way of formation of a grand alliance.
"Well, we should believe PPPP leaders, who deny striking any deal. And at this juncture I will not point out who is the hurdle in the way of opposition. This will harm our cause," he smilingly said. He rejected President Musharraf's viewpoint that the army should not be criticised, saying "if they will not concentrate on their job and indulge in governance instead, criticism is natural. How can they escape (from) it".
Qazi charged that due to the military and civil bureaucracy's nexus, Pakistan had lost its identity as a sovereign and independent country. Moreover, today all key decisions are made without taking the Parliament or the Cabinet into confidence.
Referring to President Musharraf's concept of enlightened moderation, MMA leader alleged that the country was gradually being deprived of ideological identity and an education system, promoting secular and liberal philosophy had been introduced.
He strongly opposed what he called the efforts to make the army a controversial institution and insisted that the army should abide by its constitutional duties, shunning politics.
MMA leader did not appear optimistic about the chances of free, fair and transparent elections and called for Musharraf and his team's ouster well before the elections, which he emphasised should be held under a consensus interim government. He said for instance, if free and fair elections are held even then this would be of no use as the Parliament was rubber stamp and all powers concentrating in the military uniform.
MMA's top leadership will meet in the second week of November to draw up future line of action to topple Musharraf government, following a marathon four-day meeting of Jamaat-e-Islami. To a question, Qazi said that MMA lawmakers would not sit in the National Assembly if the women protection bill, cleared by the select committee would be passed.