LAHORE, June 7: The senior naib amir of the Jamaat-i-Islami, Prof Ghafoor Ahmad, on Thursday conceded that the MMA’s presence in the coalition government of Balochistan was a political mistake and the alliance should pull out of it sooner than later.

Speaking at a news conference, Prof Ghafoor said the burden for such a decision rested entirely with the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, the JI’s partner in the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, which continued to be part of the coalition along with the ruling PML.

“It is the JUI which must now review its position as any further cooperation with the regime in that province will take a heavy political toll on the MMA particularly at a time when the next elections are approaching,” he added.

The JI leader, however, did not agree to the suggestion that the MMA should also quit the NWFP government. He said the MMA was ruling the province because the people had given it the right to rule through their vote. It had a mandate to rule the province as a legitimate and constitutional right.

The JI leader said all the opposition parties knew about the repercussions of Gen Pervez Musharraf seeking his re-election from the present assemblies and there was a general consensus among the opposition ranks that Musharraf should not be allowed to be re-elected in uniform.

He said seeking a vote from the present assemblies for another five years in the presidency when the legislatures’ own remaining life was only five months was not only unconstitutional, but also anomalous. He was of the view that Gen Musharraf would not be able to get re-elected ‘under any circumstances’.

He advised the president to accept the ‘ground reality’ by withdrawing from both his offices and this alone would ensure peace in the country.

Asked about the decision of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto not to attend the multi-party conference in London, Prof Ghafoor hoped that the PPP leader had also said she was not having a deal with the regime and only talks with certain high-ups were held so far.

“I hope that Ms Bhutto will not deviate from the principles enunciated by the ARD’s charter of democracy and has reviewed the party policy under the situation prevalent in the country.”

At the outset, Prof Ghafoor spelled out the entire political scenario, criticising the regime’s internal and external policies and observed that Gen Musharraf had started confrontation with all sections of society and state institutions.

The current national crisis, according to him, was similar to that of the 1971 because a lack of implementation of the constitutional provision about provincial autonomy and army operation in Balochistan and the NWFP had created a sense of alienation. Even in Sindh, the voices of secession were being raised.

The JI leader said the Muttahida Qaumi Movement had added fuel to fire by resorting to violence on May 12. He said the MQM could not have acted in such a manner without the patronage of Gen Musharraf who was all praise for the party the same evening.

He lauded the people of Punjab for joining the uprising and said the people of other provinces, too, believed that a change was on the cards.