MMA wants joint session on Bajaur, Balochistan

LAHORE—MMA central leader Hafiz Hussain Ahmad has called for convening joint session of lower and upper houses of parliament in the wake of US forces airstrike in a seminary in Bajaur agency and military operation in Balochistan and tribal areas.
He said this while addressing a press conference here Sunday on his return from India. JUI-F central leaders Hafiz Riaz Durrani and Bilal Mir were also present on the occasion.
Hafiz Hussain Ahmad said convening joint sitting of parliament is not only the need of hour but also it is a constitutional requirement. President should come before the parliament. People of Pakistan have not been given any decision making right, he said adding we are struggling to secure this right for them.
Hafiz Hussain told that he had proceeded to India to attend interfaith conference at Ludhiana. PPP-P was represented by their MNA Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmad. I participated in the conference on behalf of MMA, he told.
“I called upon the participants of the conference the way the people of India enjoy right to take decision, the people of Kashmir should also be allowed to exercise the right to decide about their future “, he maintained. “ We have asked both Pakistan and India in conference that parliaments of both the countries can play key role for resolution of all issues including core issue of Kashmir. But the parliaments are being kept away from these matters, he regretted. The chairmanship of Kashmir committees of both the countries be given to opposition parties.All our members sitting in national assembly, senate and provincial assemblies are not the members of their respective parties but they are members of MMA
Replying to a question, he said that all the opposition parties had obtained resignations from their legislators so that these could be presented when need arises. The resignation issue would also be taken up in the meeting of combined opposition on November, 9.
If government brings any bill against the agreement, MMA will tender resignations from parliament, he reiterated. Responding to a question, he said that all the component parties of MMA have their individual entity too but they all are bound to abide by the decisions of Supreme Council. All our members sitting in national assembly, senate and provincial assemblies are not the members of their respective parties but they are members of MMA.
To another question, he said what Saddam Hussain is facing now is in line with history repeats itself. Those awarding punishment to Saddam are far greater criminals and murderers than Saddam. If Saddam can face this situation then Musharraf, Bush and Rumsfeld can also confront this situation in future.
Replying to a question with reference to next general elections, he said MMA would evolve its policy on elections when any election policy from the government comes. If general elections take place earlier than presidential elections and if election of “ General” are held earlier than general elections , MMA would pursue different policies in both cases.
As far as PPP-P is concerned it enjoys the status of an individual party, he said adding MMA on the other hand is an alliance. Therefore, the strategies of both the parties are different. PML-N had announced to resign from the seats of parliament and MMA was supporting it. We want that opposition parties announce for formation of grand alliance immediately but PPP-P is fearful of such alliance, he remarked.
He warned if the limits set by Almighty Allah are violated, MMA would resign from national assembly. However, it would retain the seats of senate and provincial assemblies.
It is not possible for ruling PML-Q to get the women rights bill passed from parliament as per wishes of President Musharraf because the amended draft bill, which is signed by Ulema also carry the signatures of Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Chaudhry Pervez Elahi and PML chief whip Nasrullah Dreshik. To a question, he said that ARD component parties are far ahead of MMA in solo flight.—Online