Hear
the Qazi Interview in Real Audio
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MMA leader talks to South
Asia Tribune and talks tough
Qazi
warns of big turmoil if power not given in NWFP
Shaheen
Sehbai
WASHINGTON:
The leader of the wildcard anti-Musharraf religious alliance,
which upset all calculations and expectations in the Pakistan
general elections on Oct 10 by winning a huge number of seats
in National and provincial assemblies, warned on Saturday there
would be “big trouble” if his party was not given
power in the sensitive provinces bordering Afghanistan.
“There
will be great turmoil, a huge crisis (‘Buhat Bara Fassad
Barpa Hoga Phir’). If they will not hand over the Government
to us. How will they control the province. They have to keep law
and order, it is a sensitive province,” Qazi Hussain Ahmed,
Amir of Jamaat Islami told the SA Tribune on telephone.
“After
such a heavy mandate how is it possible not to give us the Government.
We have not been brought by the Army or the Establishment. It
is not possible to push us away by twisting our ears. We have
masses supporting us and we have come through the democratic process.
And we have not done anything as yet to cause any panic.”
But
the astute politician from Peshawar assured everyone that there
was no need to get scared of his party. “There is no reason
to be scared. We have been part of the political process all the
time. Our component parties JUP and JUI have also been part of
the Democratic process. There is no political party in Pakistan
with which they did not have a political alliance. So there is
nothing to be worried or scared,” Qazi said.
Asked
about any major change in Pakistan’s foreign policy with
the emergence of his group as a big force, Qazi Hussain Ahmed
said: “Even if there is any change in policy it will come
through the Parliament.” But he said if people do not want
foreign troops on their soil, then what is wrong with it. "Why
should these troops be there," he asked referring to the
presence of US troops in NWFP and Balochistan.
He
asked the United States and the Military Government in Pakistan
to respect the opinion of the people. “We have not come
through the barrel of the gun. We have been elected by the people
and we will respect their opinion. This opinion should be respected
by by the United States and also General Pervez Musharraf,”
he said.
Qazi
dispelled reports that his administration in NWFP would follow
the Taliban and force women to wear head gears. “The Western
Media is doing this (spreading this propaganda). I have said this
in public meetings that our Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) never punished
any woman because she did not wear a ‘Chadar” on her
head.”
“I
said this before all Ulema. Can any religious leader tell me if
the Prophet or the Caliphs punished any woman because she did
not cover her head. We prefer changes through persuasion, education
and teaching respect and moral values. They (US) made so much
efforts to end the Taliban rule in Afghanistan. They were thinking
that the day the Taliban are gone, all women will throw away their
“burqas” or clothes. Go and see it you will not find
one women without a burqa,” he said.
Qazi
kept the doors of an alliance and understanding with both the
leading political parties in the National Parliament open and
said he had received a call from the PPP leader Mr Amin Fahim
for talks. “But all our options are open,” he stressed.
Following
is the full text of the Interview:
Q:
Why is the Government or Establishment scared of you and your
Alliance policies?
A:
I don’t know. There is no reason to be scared. We have been
part of the political process all the time. Our component parties
JUP and JUI have also been part of the Democratic process. There
is no political party in Pakistan with which they did not have
a political alliance. So there is nothing to be worried or scared.
Q:
Can you give an assurance to the Government that there would be
no major change in the foreign policy of the country, if you join
in?
A:
Even if there is any change in policy it will come through the
Parliament. We have not come through the barrel of the gun. We
have been elected by the people and we will respect the opinion
of the people. This opinion should be respected by the United
States and also Pervez Musharraf.
Q:
There is an impression gaining ground that your government will
be a hardline, Taliban-type administration in NWFP?
A:
This is a wrong impression. We would be working strictly according
to our Constitution and will try to implement it.
Q:
Would ordinary people feel any difficulties and should they be
concerned about (your policies).
A:
What difficulties are you talking about. We have not come to create
difficulties. We will try to provide them relief.
Q:
What kind of a government will you run in NWFP and Balochistan?
A:
What kind of a government do you want?
Q:
People want a Government which can provide security, improve law
and order, provide jobs.
A:
We will provide all this. You know us well. We will not create
problems for the people.
Q:
Who is spreading these stories that you will run a Taliban-type
government and force women to wear Hijabs?
A:
The Western Media is doing this. I have said this in public meetings
that our Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) never punished any woman because
she did not wear a ‘Chadar” on her head. I said this
before all Ulema. Can any religious leader tell me if the Prophet
or the Caliphs punished any woman because she did not cover her
head. We prefer changes through persuasion, education and teaching
respect and moral values. They (US) made so much efforts to end
the Taliban rule in Afghanistan. They were thinking that the day
the government is gone, all women will throw away their “burqas”
or clothes. Go and see it you will not find one woman without
a burqa.
Q:
You have been quoted as saying that all US bases would be removed
from NWFP when you come into power. Is this correct?
A:
If our people do not want that foreign troops should be present
on their soil, then what is wrong with it. Why should these troops
be there?
Q:
Has anyone in the Government or President Pervez Musharraf contacted
you so far. Any message of congratulations or any communication
at all?
A:
There has been no communication so far but other people have been
congratulating us.
Q:
What conclusion are you drawing from this lack of communication?
A:
Well it is still early. The final official results are not even
out as yet.
Q:
What is your final position in the House?
A:
It is 3rd after PML-Q and PPPP. We have so far got 55 seats in
the National Assembly.
Q:
Is there any communication between your party and the PPP so far?
A:
Yes we have received a telephone call from Mr Amin Fahim of PPPP
who expressed the desire to meet me.
Q:
Will you meet him and is there any possibility of an understanding
with the PPP?
A:
You know everything about us. You know what we agree on and on
what issues we differ. Yes I will meet him.
Q:
In the new situation any party will find it difficult to form
a majority. You have got the balancing power?
A:
All the parties in the National Assembly can gang up and join
hands against us as well.
Q:
Are you ready to sit in the Opposition and face all of them?
A:
Why not, we will not compromise on our principles.
Q:
There have been some reports and comments about differences within
the MMA. Would you like to comment?
A:
There is nothing like this. There is complete confidence, understanding
and solidarity in all the parties.
Q:
Are there any meetings planned?
A:
Yes we will first hold MMA meetings. We have summoned a meeting
on Tuesday (Oct 15, 2002).
Q:
Are any independents talking to you for joining the MMA?
A:
Yes they are.
Q:
Do you think you will be handed over the Government in NWFP?
A:
Why it will not be given? We have a majority.
Q:
If there is any hurdle or disturbance (‘gar bar’)
what will be the reaction?
A:
What ‘gar bar’ can be done. Will they have fresh elections?
What can they do?
Q:
Is there any chance of Governor’s Rule in NWFP? Is there
any talk about it?
A:
No there is no chance and there is no possibility of Governor’s
Rule. Otherwise there will be great turmoil, a huge crisis (‘Buhat
Bara Fassad Barpa Hoga Phir’). If they will not hand over
the Government to us how will they control the province. They
have to keep law and order, it is a sensitive province. After
such a heavy mandate how is it possible not to give us the Government.
We have not been brought by the Army or the Establishment. It
is not possible to push us away by twisting our ears. We have
people supporting us and we have come through the democratic process.
And we have not done anything as yet. Why are you getting so panicky.
We are in touch with the officials here.
Q:
How are these officials responding to you?
A:
They are our friends. We have been together. We meet each other.
No body is concerned that we will come into power.
Q:
So you think power will be transferred to you smoothly?
A:
Yes Inshallah. It will be done in a very friendly atmosphere.
In an atmosphere of love. There is no tension here at all. Those
who have lost here have also congratulated us. They are also ready
to cooperate with us. Whether it is PPP, ANP or PML, all are happy
that there has been a change.
Q:
What is the position in Balochistan and are you in a position
to form a Government there?
A:
MMA is the largest party in Balochistan. We are talking to others
to form a government. There are small parties and groups and we
have to seek them out.
Q:
Can you join a coalition with PML-QA in the Center?
A:
All options are open at this point.
Q:
But General Musharraf has not talked to you as yet although you
have the balancing power?
A:
I think he has not talked to any one.
Q:
Why is it so, his reaction should have come by now?
A:
He will make a speech, as he had said before the elections.
Q:
There are serious concerns here in the US media, some are calling
your victory as a Fundamentalist coup, what do you say?
A:
Why is it. Do they not believe in the democratic process. People
are happy here. If there is any complaint, we have one, in which
we were denied a winning seat in Karachi. The results were delayed.
