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| Afghanistan/South Asia |
| MMA endorses government stance on foreigners in Waziristan |
| 2004-07-04 |
| The two top Mutahidda Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) leaders Friday endorsed the government’s stand on registration of foreigners hiding in various parts of South Waziristan Agency. The MMA leaders Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Qazi Hussain Ahmad have supported the government stance on the issue during an important meeting with NWFP Governor Lt Gen. (Retd) Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah at Governor House here on Friday night. Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani was also present on the occasion. Though no official statement either from Governor’s House or Chief Minister’s House, about this meeting was issued so far, the two MMA leaders claimed that they have discussed with the governor the Wana situation as well as other administrative affairs of the province. The MMA secretary general and Opposition Leader in National Assembly Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Jamaat-e-Islami chief and MMA’s acting president Qazi Hussain Ahmad, Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani and Senior Minister Sirajul Haq also attended a detailed briefing on BoK at the office. Answering a question, Fazl said that they met the governor on the advice of MNAs from tribal areas. Qazi Hussain Ahmad added that they discussed in depth the over-all situation of tribal areas and exchanged proposals and suggestions. To another question, Maulana Fazl endorsed the government’s stand on registration of foreigners hiding in different parts of South Waziristan Agency. It is a genuine demand of the government, he said. While Qazi said that immigrants are bound to follow the host country’s rules. They, however, stressed use of peaceful and political means for sorting out such issues. Maulana Fazl said that they also briefed the governor about impacts of economic blockade against Ahmadzai Wazir tribe and on behalf of the MMA, asked him for early lifting of these curbs. However, the Governor informed the MMA leaders that these sanctions have been eased for the last several days, assuring further relief in this regard. The MMA leaders said that they also suggested the Governor to ensure maximum relief to common tribesmen and direct the authorities concerned not to misuse their powers under black laws of Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR). To a question Qazi Hussain Ahmad ruled out possibility of Governor Rule in the province, saying the MMA govt is stable and has backing of people of NWFP and Pakistan. He further said that affairs of the provincial govt is running smoothly and there is nothing to be worried about and cited an example of satisfactory law and order situation in the province. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |