Musharraf's 'controversial position' endangering stability: MMA holds rally against government policies

Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) leader and Jamat-e-Islami (JI) Naib Amir Senator Professor Ghafoor Ahmed on Friday demanded the government to find political solution of Balochistan issue, reduction in electricity, gas and petroleum prices and restoration of religion's column in passport and imprinting it with Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Addressing a large protest gathering at Dawood Chowrangi, Landhi as part of MMA campaign against the government, he said President Pervez Musharraf violated the constitution by remaining in uniform and his "controversial position" was endangering country's internal and external stability.
A large number of MMA protestors attended the demonstration, held after the Jumma prayers who chanted slogans against the government for its policies, US intervention into Pakistan's affairs, violation of constitution, price-hike, unemployment and deteriorating law and order situation in the country.
Other MMA leaders including Maulana Abdul Karim Abid, Hafiz Muhammad Taqi, Dr Merajul Huda Siddiqui, Shaikh Rafique Ahmed, Nasarullah Shajee and others also spoke.
Professor Ghafoor Ahmed maintained that President of ruling Pakistan Muslim League Chaudhry Shujaat had announced that religion's column in the passport would be restored but his appeal was turned down by the President Musharraf, who wants to turn the country into a secular state.
He charged that despite presence of the Parliament, all the important decisions in the country were being taken by country's top brass and that's why people had now no faith in the assemblies and the judiciary too.
According to him, Election Commission of Pakistan had also become a controversial institution and opposition fear that next local bodies' polls would be highly rigged and government would try to get its sponsored candidates elected.
He said President promised to resolve Balochistan issue through dialogue but now military cantonments were being established in Sui which was a wrong step.
"If all the army is deployed in Balochistan, it will not guarantee peace and stability in the province unless people are taken into confidence" he opined adding that people were committing suicides at the hands of poverty and hunger.
"President had promised that poverty would be eliminated but last year, over 2500 people committed suicides. Some even slaughtered their own children due to fear of hunger" he charged.
Professor Ghafoor maintained that country's ideological bases were also being shaken as educational system was being handed over to Aga Khan Foundation.
Maulana Abdul Karim Abid warned the government to review its policies saying people were peaceful during their protests but they could be controlled anymore.
He said military might was being used against political opponents and those wanted for US but on the other hand, law and other situation was deteriorating but it was not worrying rulers.
Later, participants of the demonstration dispersed peacefully amid chanting slogans against the government polices.
Heavy contingents of police and Rangers were deployed around the Dawood Chowrangi.