Peshawar News

Govt failed to deliver, says Sajid Mir Monday, July 21, 2008 Bureau report PESHAWAR: The government has failed to honour the mandate given by the electorate in the February 18 general elections and the country’s sovereignty has been put at stake due to wrong policies of the rulers, said Senator Prof Sajid Mir, chief of the Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadith (MJAH). Addressing a press conference here Sunday, the senator said people had given a clear mandate to the present government for maintenance of peace, eradication of poverty, controlling price-hike and reducing unemployment, and above all, safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, but unfortunately, none of these problems were solved but rather intensified. The government’s 100-day performance was disappointing as the incumbent rulers were following the polices of President Musharraf and dictates of the United States, he added. The MJAH chief said the mandate was for throwing Gen (R) Musharraf and his cronies out of power and defying the US dictates, but the frequent visits of American officials to Pakistan was nothing more than rubbing salt into the wounds of the nation. He alleged the country’s sovereignty was at stake as foreign interference could not be stopped, innocent people were being bombed in both tribal and settled areas and Nato forces were violating Pakistan airspace regularly in the so-called pursuit of al-Qaeda and Taliban. Expressing concern over the worsening law and order situation, sky-rocketing price-hike and energy crisis, Sajid said it was ironic that the prices of gas were increased and electricity load-shedding had made life miserable for the people despite the fact that both were being produced and not imported like petroleum products. “The present leadership’s statements on Kashmir are also disappointing,” he noted. Flanked by former MPA Zakir Shah, provincial general secretary of the Jamiat, Maulana Fazlur Rahman Madani and others, Prof Sajid Mir welcomed the NWFP government initiative to hold talks with militants for restoration of peace. He said the country was in need of a strong and bold leadership, which does not take dictates and compromise national interests. The MJAH leader suggested an all parties conference to forward recommendations to the government for bringing the country out of crises. “We are not in favour of snap election and provide an excuse to the generals to snatch power from elected government,” he went on to say. Rejecting militancy, he said killing our own people in the name of religion and forcible implementation of Islamic laws was no service to the nation and country, he added.