Pak alliance may quit Balochistan government

The MMA seems keen on spearheading the struggle against Musharraf, accentuated in the wake of Bugti's killing.

Pakistan's rightwing political alliance, the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), may quit the government in troubled Balochistan province.

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The party appears keen on spearheading the opposition struggle against President Pervez Musharraf, accentuated in the wake of the killing of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti.

Media reports have indicated that the MMA, which has a strong presence in parliament and also rules the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), is trying to seize the initiative from other alliances and parties to lead the movement against Musharraf.

It also led the charge in the National Assembly last Monday when the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz was discussed.

Political analysts said the alliance might quit the government to avoid being dismissed and face the accompanying "tough police action" by the federal government.

The opposition parties are preparing for a nationwide strike scheduled for Friday.

MMA chief Qazi Hussain Ahmad told a press conference in Peshawar: "At present our concentration is on strike to be observed on September 1.

As far as the decision of giving up the government in Balochistan is concerned, no single party can give any verdict in this regard. We will take up the issue in our supreme council meeting, to be held on Sep 5 in Islamabad".

Qazi, who heads the powerful Jamat-e-Islami (JEI), was quoted by The News International that the alliance would continue its agitation until Musharraf quits the office of the president, constitute an interim government and announce independent elections under a free Election Commission.