(Excerpt from an interview published in the December 2002 issue of the monthly "Youth Contact" Gujranwala.)
Question: What are your impressions about the success of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal in the recent general elections of Pakistan?
Answer: I think Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal was well received by the public for two reasons. One is because of their unity that the history of half a century of Pakistan is a witness that whenever religious circles and religious schools of thought have united and raised the voice of the nation for a common cause, the nation has never disappointed them. The second reason is the apocalypse that the US and its allies have made in Afghanistan over the past year to topple the Islamic government of the Taliban, and impose their own puppet government. And the shameful way in which the people of Afghanistan have been subjected to brutality and terrorism, the people of Pakistan, especially the people of Frontier Province and Balochistan, have expressed their hatred and anger against them in the election, and with it they also gave a practical answer to the negative propaganda of the elements who were saying that religious parties in Pakistan do not get the support of the people. I think America and all its allies should learn a lesson from this and read the inscription and review their policies and practices.
Question: What do you expect from Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal regarding national politics?
Answer: In my opinion, the Muttahidda Majlis-e-Amal should not have participated in the power struggle at the federal level. They should have concentrated all their attention on protecting the constitutional foundations of the 1973 Constitution. At present, the most prominent and strong voice in the country for the protection of the real democracy and the foundations of the 1973 constitution is Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal. It would have been better if this voice had not been mixed with the desire for power and ministries. However, it is still a good thing that the Muttahidda Majlis-e-Amal has announced not to negotiate on the principles. I pray that Allah Ta'ala blesses the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal with persistence and success on this principled stand. However, my opinion in this regard is that:
✦ It should stay away from the power game at the federal level, and sit in the opposition and express the sentiments of the people.
✦ The government of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal in Frontier Province should present a model of Islamic governance with the solution of people's problems, which is a beacon for other provinces, and the people of other provinces should also find themselves forced to give Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal a chance in the next election.
✦ Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal got these votes with the blessing of the blood of the oppressed people of Afghanistan. And these votes have been received due to strong opposition to global colonial powers. Therefore, there should not be any flexibility in the stance and practical role of the Muttahidda Majlis-e-Alam in this regard.
✦ The unity of religious schools of thought should be maintained at all costs. Its scope should be expanded with mutual self-sacrifice and trust. And one should always be alert that the most effort by the opponents will be to put cracks in this unity and mutual trust in one way or another.
✦ The government of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal in the Frontier Province should establish an academic commission to study the recommendations of the Islamic Ideological Council closely, separate the recommendations related to the provincial powers from them, and suggest methods for their practical implementation.
✦ The ministers of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Alam should set an example of simplicity, contentment, and frugality, detaching themselves from the desires of protocol and prestige, and illustrate by their actions how the ministers of an Islamic government function.
(Translated with Google Translate)
