SUKKUR, Feb 2: The secretary general, Jamiat-i-Ulema-i-Islam, Dr Khalid Mehmood Soomro, has said that the MMA would never accept the LFO and referendum, and advised President Gen Musharraf to take off his uniform and get elected through the available means in the Constitution.

He said the referendum was a national fraud, and all such unilateral amendments by President Musharraf would not be accepted, and, therefore, he is advised to present the LFO in the parliament for a debate.

He said this while addressing a press conference at Madrasa Hamadaya on Sunday.

He said that the government had bowed before the US and an artificial democracy and a weak prime minister had been inducted.

He said this was a lame democracy, and the MMA would make efforts to set up a strong government.

He said all amendments will not be accepted, and will be accepted only when passed by parliament.

Dr Khalid condemned Pakistan’s apologetic policy on Iraq, and asked the government to lead the Muslim world.

He said Pakistan was a nuclear power and all Muslim states were looking towards her.

He advised for creating a joint army, a UN-type organization and joint currency to fight against anti-Islamic forces.

He warned the government not to side with the US over Iraq, otherwise the MMA would raise strong protest.

Dr Khalid said no dam would be allowed on the Indus River as it was a matter of life and death for the people of Sindh.

He said electricity could be produced from the coal reserves of Sindh, which had enough stocks.

He termed the law and order situation in Sindh as the worst as rampant robberies and kidnappings took place here.

He asked the government to take maximum measures for public safety.

Dr Khalid said interest had been abolished by the chief minister of the NWFP.

The JUI’s deputy, Ameer Maulana Mohammad Murad, was also present on the occasion.

POLICE OPERATION: The DPO, Jacobabad, Agha Tahir Khan Pathan, on Wednesday announced that preparations have been completed for a major anti-dacoits operation, which is to be launched soon in the district.

He was speaking at a news conference in Thul after chairing a meeting of the police officials of the Thul sub-division to chalk out a strategy for the anti-dacoit operation.

Criticizing the law and order situation in the Thul sub- division, he said that after the go-ahead signal from the Sindh government, Patharidars of the area would be arrested, adding that the operation would continue till the restoration of peace in the district.

He said that in this area, outlaws and dacoits usually entered Sindh from Balochistan and after kidnapping people and snatching vehicles they would go back there, adding that most of the criminals belonged to the Bugti tribe.

He said that high-level talks were held with the Balochistan government for sealing off its border with Sindh.