The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal on Monday played down reports of clamping ban on Jamaat-i-Islami, saying these were aimed at pressurising religious forces. Talking to newsmen here, MMA Secretary General Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that such threats or pressure tactics would not cow religious groups down.
He maintained that they had certain principles around which their international and regional politics revolved.
The MMA leader rejected the reported statement of President General Pervez Musharraf that in the first phase of local bodies' election, extremist forces had been rejected. "In fact, we are moderates, those siding with General Musharraf are the extremists," Maulana Fazl contended.
When asked to comment on the local bodies polls' results, Maulana Fazl, who is also leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, said it would be premature to comment on results until formally made public.
He alleged that the conduct of the Election Commission had been biased, it was issuing notices to officials in NWFP, while it was silent on what was going on in Punjab.
Maulana Fazl contended that the commission was unmoved on ministers' statements against each other in Punjab, accusing each other of rigging and related irregularities.
It is pertinent to note that Industries Minister Jehangir Tareen, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Sher Afgan Niazi had raised voice against what they called rigging in the polls. Likewise, another lawmaker Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan had also expressed concern over the state of affairs.
Regarding his unceremonious departure from Dubai Airport, he charged that the government of Pakistan was involved in the sorry incident, but he would not say anything further, fearing possible harm to Pak-UAE relations.
However, Maulana Fazl said that he would speak in detail on the matter at an appropriate time.
About the success of his own faction of Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam, he said that he was awaiting official results before commenting on the matter. He pointed out that it was for the first time JUI was participating in the polls. It had boycotted the earlier electoral process in 2002.
Earlier, the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal filed an adjournment motion with the National Assembly against the reported US criticism on academic syllabi in the country.
Eight MMA lawmakers, including Farid Paracha and Samia Raheel Qazi submitted the motion, seeking suspension of the House business and initiation of a debate on the matter.
"To discuss the issue of national importance and urgent public attention, the House business be suspended to take up the statement of US State Department spokesman, criticising the syllabi," the motion read.
The lawmakers contended that Islam or any book, being taught at any institution, did not contain hate material. "It is for this reason, minorities are living in complete peace and harmony in Pakistan," they pointed out in the motion. They demanded of the government to take notice of the statement and stop 'taking dictation from the outside powers'.
It is a matter of serious concern that the government on the behest of America is trying to change the syllabi, they said.
The lawmakers expressed concern over the promulgation of Madaris Ordinance, cancellation of declaration of magazines.
They maintained that the people of Pakistan had every right to equip their children with Islamic education and principles enshrined in the Holy Quran and Sunnah.