HYDERABAD, April 10: The Jamaat-i-Islami Secretary Gen Syed Munawwar Hassan said on Tuesday that a grand opposition alliance was in the offing and the conditions prevailing in the country would soon lead to its formation.

Mr Hassan said at a press conference at Markaz-i-Tableegh-i-Islam on the Makki Shah Road that with the announcement of president’s re-elections all the opposition parties would unite on one platform.

He said that the scenario was fast changing and it was the need of the hour to mount pressure on the rulers to force them to announce a date for holding free, fair and transparent elections.

He said that certain opposition parties were in haste to grab a share in power but it could also be part of disinformation campaign. “That's why we urge PPP to be patient because it had been bold enough in the last several years. PPP should play its role in electoral activities that are to begin in next few months,” he said.

He stressed that there was no disagreement over grand alliance's formation between MMA, ARD and Ponm. “We hope that the grand alliance is in the offing and current political situation will result in its formation,” he said while referring to the creation of PNA.

He said that free and fair elections were not possible with Gen Musharraf as president therefore a consensus interim government should be formed, a powerful election commission should be appointed and the constitution should be restored to its pre-October 12,1999 form.

The JI leader said that existing alliances were already unanimous on the points, therefore, the formation of grand alliance was not difficult. “We call upon PPP not to get involved in any sort of contacts, negotiations with military junta and if any such thing was needed it should be routed through grand alliance or ARD because reports about its (deal) would be weakening opposition's ranks,” said Mr Hassan.

He was all praise for non-functional Chief Justice of Pakistan and said that under article 209 the president was not competent to render CJP non-functional.

He described the move as mala fide and said the government feared the CJP might have ruled against the president’s re-election. He slammed Sindh government for poor law and order situation and rising street crimes and held MQM responsible for the situation.

Sindh was the only province which had a political governor who was fond of shunting between London and Karachi in violation of constitution, he said and added that the MQM was equally responsible along with Pervez Musharraf for violation of constitution.

Mr Hassan avoided slamming Hafsa Masjid affair despite repeated queries and said that there was no writ of government anywhere in the country. “I would instead condemn the government which is levelling guns at the baton-wielding girls,” he said.

He said that the students reacted after a list for demolition of 41 mosques was issued and tried to justify the situation on grounds that elsewhere in the country panchayat system was more effective where people sought remedy in different matters.