Independence to remain: incomplete in presence of US interference: Jamaat-i-Islami chief

Independence would be incomplete without ending US interference in the country's affairs, chief of Jamaat-i-Islami Syed Munawar Hasan said at a flag-hoisting ceremony at Mansoora near Lahore on Tuesday. Munawar Hasan hoisted the nation flag atop the JI headquarters in the presence of hundreds of JI workers and leaders. Former JI Ameer Qazi Hussain Ahmed and Jamaat's Secretary-General Liaqat Baloch, also addressed on the occasion.
Chief of the Jamiat Ittehadul Ulema Maulana Abdul Ma'lik prayed for the solidarity and integrity of the country, enforcement of Islamic order and the liberation of Kashmir, Palestine and other occupied territories. Terming the ruler mental slaves of foreigners, he criticised them for following "alien policies", saying that as long as this was being done, the country could not be made truly independent.
According to him, the US interference in national affairs was the root cause of terrorism, lawlessness, unemployment and poverty in the country. He said that the country's rulers, who should be working day in and day out to solve people's problems, had become "US slaves". Pointing out that the US and Nato could not realise their designs with Pakistan's support, the JI Ameer said that the rulers were exploiting Pakistan's strategic position, instead of benefiting from it.
Accusing the rulers of bowing before the US, he said that the rulers had sold out national sovereignty. Washington, he said, was now pressurising Islamabad for conducting a military operation in North Waziristan and the "Haqqani terrorist network" although "no such network" existed in the country.
Stating that general elections were likely to be held before the "next Independence Day", Syed Munawar Hasan urged people to vote for the JI's honest and God-fearing leaders if they really wanted change. Qazi Husain Ahmed also addressed on the occasion. Terming the creation of Pakistan a manifestation of "divine will", he said that the creation of Pakistan on Jummatul Wida and Ramazn 27 in 1947 was not an accident. It was the result of sacrifices rendered by "Muslims for centuries".
He said that it was a disgrace that " we are fighting each another, instead of the enemy and our policies are being framed by the enemy". He said that the Milli Yakjehti Council, a religio- political alliance had decided to celebrate the Independence Day on the Ramazan 27 in a befitting manner.