Secretary General Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan Syed Munawar Hassan has said that MMA's agitation movement would continue till the return of army to the barracks so as it could play its due role as professional army as prescribed under the constitution. While addressing a press conference here on Friday, Munawar said the present government has failed to redress the economic problems being faced by the people, the unemployment has increased to 1,360,000 while natural resources have not been fully tapped so far.
Pakistan, amongst the list of 177 countries, stands at 142 with regard to utilisation of its resources, he said.
He said that foreign exchange reserves have declined below the level of 12 billion dollars, while price hike increased significantly. 'The government tall claims regarding economic development do not reflect the factual position, while the State Bank of Pakistan has admitted rapid increase in inflation and no measures have been taken to arrest the inflation rate', he added.
Due to deteriorating law and order situation, neither the domestic nor the foreign investment is coming into Pakistan. Karachi is hub of investment in the country, which has not witnessed any investment so far. Besides, the cricket teams of South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia have refused to play cricket in Pakistan due to security concerns, he maintained.
He further said those members of the parliament who voted in favour of uniform bill have violated Article 63 of Pakistan Constitution. General Musharraf himself violated the 17th amendment of constitution by not explaining his position on the uniform issue, he added.
Criticising the President, he said that General Musharraf has taken various U-turns on various national and international issues. In external affairs, he nominated three prime ministers, while he kept changing his stance on Indian occupied Kashmir issue, which is still a nuclear flash point. The Kashmiris' sacrifices reflect that they are still adhered to their point of view, he maintained. 'The Kashmiris by demonstrating militancy and taking weapon in hands for the last 15 years have kept alive the Kashmir issue,' he added.
He admitted that war is not a solution of resolving bilateral issues. The confidence building measures (CBMs) between Pakistan and India have also failed to produce desired results. Now the time has come to persuade India to initiate CBMs directly with the Kashmiris, he added.
He suggested immediate withdrawal of Indian occupation forces from occupied Kashmir, payment of compensation to the heirs of those killed in occupied Kashmir, release all the political prisoners in Kashmir and withdrawal of black-laws to strengthen CBMs. In forthcoming talks between Pakistan and India, both sides should focus on Kashmir issue, he maintained.
He criticised the government for not responding to Indian Prime Minister statement that there would be no division on the religion basis. If East Tamor, having Christian majority, can become an independent state, why could not so happen in Kashmir. The President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan should announce clear policy on Kashmir issue.
About the MMA movement, he said after Karachi, second public meeting would be held in Multan on December 5, in Lahore on December 12 and on December 19 in Rawalpindi.
The political situation is changing rapidly in the country and till the implementation of 17th amendment, dialogues with the government could not be successful.
To a question, he said that Shaukat Aziz intention for dialogue with the opposition couldn't be treated as an invitation. The invitation should be extended with certain agenda. He reiterated that MMA would not accept General Pervez Musharraf as President and Chief of Army Staff if he failed to lay-off his uniform after December 31, under the 17th amendment.