News
Sunday, September 29, 2013
BA opp demands CM’s resignation on state religion comment* Opp leader says to ‘appease’ Europeans, CM Baloch said in an interview in London that the state should not have a religion
Staff Report
QUETTA: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam leader and opposition chief in the Balochistan Assembly Maulana Abdul Wasay has demanded the cancellation of the assembly membership of Chief Minister Dr Malik Baloch, saying that he has violated his constitutional oath in one his interviews in London.
“If the speaker of the House does not take notice of our demand, we would consult the court,” he said this during a press conference at the chamber of the opposition of Balochistan Assembly on Saturday. Maulana Wasay was flanked by ANP leader Engineer Zamrak Khan, Sardar Abdul Rehman Kehtran, Mahzullah Musakhel and other party members. He said that Chief Minister Dr Baloch had said in an interview in London that the state should not have a religion, and that the constitution to which he has taken oath to, stipulates a state religion for Pakistan.
“Whosoever takes part in politics and becomes a minister, chief minister or prime minister, takes oath of defending the constitution but during his interview in London, the chief minister has violated the constitution,” said Maulana Wasay. “He shattered the spirit of constitution and we would not tolerate any act against the constitution,” he said and added that if Baloch stands by his statement, it would be unacceptable.
Responding to a query, the opposition leader said that he had also presented an adjournment motion against the statement of the chief minister in the assembly but due to his absence, it could not be taken up. He added that “we could also consider the option of going to court”. The maulana said that the foundations of the Islamic democratic Pakistan were based on Islamic system. “Islam is the state religion of Pakistan,” he noted while adding that to achieve appreciation from Europeans, the chief minister violated the sanctity of the constitution. “We would never allow such an act,” he said.
Responding to another question, he said that the Council of Islamic Ideology was also formulated to legislate for society. Speaking on the occasion, Sardar Abdul Rehman Kehtran said that the chief minister had also stated in his interview that nawabs and sardars are an obstacle in the way of development, “which has hurt our confidence”. “The chief minister should categorically state which sardar is against development,” he said, and added that his party also had sardars as did the PML-N. “We are representatives of the people and people have elected us through their votes and we have not entered the power corridors through power,” he declared.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk