By IANS
Islamabad : Pakistan’s opposition alliance, the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), is contemplating boycotting the Jan 8 elections, said coalition general secretary Maulana Fazlur Rehman Wednesday.
Rehman, during his meeting with Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan Satyabrata Pal, exchanged views with the envoy on political situation in the country and difficulties being faced by the parties following the proclamation of emergency rule, Online news agency said.
Rehman, who had a separate meeting with British political secretary Tom Drew, told the foreign envoys that imposition of emergency rule and Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) had led the country to political instability and crisis.
“In the prevailing circumstance, possibility of holding elections in fair and transparent manner stands ruled out,” he told the envoys, according to the news agency.
“Therefore, the MMA is considering boycotting the elections. But the MMA supreme council will take the final decision on this count,” he said.
Later, talking to reporters Rehman alleged that President Pervez Musharraf had suppressed the freedom of judiciary and the treatment being meted out to the judges was very alarming for the country following the emergency rule declared Nov 3.
“The country is heading towards crisis,” he cautioned.
The MMA was an opposition coalition in Pakistan’s parliament, formed after Musharraf declared his support for the US sponsored “global war on terror”. The coalition vehemently opposes President Musharraf’s policy of supporting US’ campaign against terrorism.
The MMA is the ruling party in Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province and comprises six Islamic religious organisations including the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam.