LAHORE, April 16: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman says his party has blocked every channels of supplying arms/ammunition to Nato forces through Pakistan by signing a resolution adopted by the National Security Committee of Parliament on the issue of Nato supply routes.

“I have signed this resolution purely in the national interest. And by signing this I have locked all channels of arms supply to Nato forces by putting its keys into my pocket,” Mr Rehman said while talking to media at the residence of Jamaat-i-Islami Secretary-General Liaquat Baloch here on Monday.

He said in 2001 the then Musharraf-led government had become a strategic partner of the US on verbal agreements in the war on terror. “But the decision of the military ruler proved to be against our national interests,” he deplored, assuring that the recent resolution on the proposed restoration of Nato supply routes was adopted in writing for the first time by keeping the national interest supreme.

Rejecting the media reports about his party’s stance on Nato supply routes issue, he said the media should be careful while presenting his party’s point of view on the issue. “I clearly say that we have signed this resolution in the best interest of the nation. And I tell you that Pentagon and White House Authorities (not we) are actually worried about this joint resolution of the committee,” he added.

About the creation of new provinces, he said though the JUI-F supported the creation of Saraiki and Hazara provinces, it desired that the final decision on this issue must be taken in accordance with the laid-down procedure in the Constitution.

He said the JUI-F was keenly interested in reviving the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal by involving all stakeholders before the next general election. And if the MMA couldn’t be revived, the JUI-F would look for some other options for making an electoral alliance with other parties.

Commenting on the Bannu jail incident, he held the law enforcement and security agencies responsible for the incident. “I think it is a big security laps on the part of security agencies and the government should order a judicial inquiry in this regard,” Mr Rehman said.

Earlier, the JUI chief expressed his sorrow and grief with JI secretary-general Liaquat Baloch over his mother’s death and prayed for the departed soul.