JI media talk: ‘Dictatorship not an alternative to democracy’

Hasan also said that the dialogues between government and Taliban must carry on until the desired goals are achieved.

SUKKUR:

Dictatorship is not an alternative to democracy and, similarly, an operation is not an alternative to dialogue, said Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Munawwar Hasan on Thursday.

Talking to the media at Sukkur airport, Hasan suggested another round of dialogues in case the present one between the government and Taliban fails. Earlier, he attended a condolence reference in Sukkur to pay homage to JI’s late leaders - former JI ameer Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, former naib ameer Professor Ghafoor Ahmed and former president of JI’s Teachers Association Hafiz Waheedullah Khan. From the very beginning, they were committed to serve the people and did not budge an inch from their mission until their deaths, he said.

He felt the US and Nato forces are facing a humiliating defeat in Afghanistan despite having the most sophisticated weapons. He also regretted that ‘Our rulers are pursuing the ‘Western agenda’ and putting the future of the country at stake’.

Hasan also said that the dialogues between the government and the Taliban must carry on until the desired goals are achieved. When asked if Pakisran should release Taliban prisoners, Hasan saw nothing wrong in it. He gave the example of 90,000 Pakistani prisoners of war, who were released by India.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement cannot survive unless it is part of the government, said Hasan, adding that being in the government is like oxygen for them.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 28^th, 2014.