Islamabad, Oct 14: Even as political parties hold talks to form a new government, Pakistan appears to be heading
for a constitutional crisis with the hardline religious
alliance Majlis-e-Amal today said it would not take oath of office under the Constitution amended by President Pervez
Musharraf.
Senior MMA leader and chief of Jamat Islami (JI) Qazi
Hussain Ahmad told reporters that members of his alliance
would take oath under the 1973 constitution, which was later
drastically amended by Musharraf.
"The MMA wants smooth transfer of power and there should be no problem. We will not create crisis. We wish Parliament to work in accordance with the constitution. Restoration of constitution is a must. Members also took oath during Zia-Ul Haq period. We will keep the tradition alive", he said.
Ahead of the elections, Musharraf has said the members
would take oath under the constitution (amended by him).
Ahmed also renewed his party's opposition to the presence
of US military bases on Pakistani soil.
"We do not need American support. We do not need foreign troops on our land," he said.
Saying that Pakistani soil should not be used for
interference in neighbouring countries, he said, "we are not
terrorists. Pakistan will not be used for terrorism. We will
deal with these issues internally. There is no need for
foreign troops for this purpose. We are capable of defending
our frontiers."
Bureau Report
