Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Pakistan's Islamic party says Obama declares war on Pakistan

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, March 29, IRNA -- Pakistan's Jamaat-e-Islami party has said that US President Obama has declared open war against Pakistan by accusing the country of being a stronghold of al-Qaeda and Taliban.

Jamaat chief Qazi Hussain Ahmad and its new chief-elect Syed Munawar Hasan demanded of the government to evolve a collective national policy on the matter by taking all political parties into confidence and holding a debate in the parliament.

In a joint statement, the Jamaat leader said Obama's speech clearly showed that Washington has not changed policies of George Bush and America still wants to use force against Muslim world.

They said that Obama's appeal to world leaders to join war on terror showed Washington has focused all energy on Pakistan and it should serve as an alarm bell for Islamabad.

They warned that new world alliance could prove serious threat to Pakistan's nuclear assets and Islamic identity.

The Jamaat leaders said that by alleging that Osama bin Laden and Mulla Omar were hiding on the Pak-Afghan border and planning fresh attacks on US, Barack Obama has tried to find a pretext to attack Pakistan.

They said that warning to target Baluchistan province with drone attacks was a signal that Washington had actually made up plans to attack Pakistan.

They said that it was to be seen if Islamabad rulers would again display cowardice or take a bold and nationalist stance. They demanded of the government to take the whole nation into confidence in this crucial situation and hold a debate in the parliament to formulate a collective national policy.

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End News / IRNA / News Code 411098