Pakistani Religious Leader:Iran not to yield to Western pressure over N-program

Pakistani former Senator and religious leader on Tuesday said that Iran must continue its peaceful nuclear program and should not bow down to western pressures.
Talking to IRNA, Hafiz Hussian Ahmad of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam expressing his views said that if US and Israel can have nuclear weapons, then why Iran is not permitted to develop peaceful nuclear program.

He demanded of the world to apply same yard stick for Israel, ‘why is Israel allowed to become an atomic power?’.

Hafiz Hussian Ahmad was of the view that Pakistan and Iran have been enjoying strong relationship for past many years.

He said that because of the possible reaction from religious parties the government is reluctant to reopen NATO routes.

Pakistan had closed NATO supply line over the killing of 24 Pakistani soldiers in November last year in a deadly U.S. air strike.

Hafiz Hussian Ahmad said that the decision to allow NATO supplies was taken by the then Army chief and now the decision to block the NATO supply is again taken by Army chief. “Parliament is not involved in these decisions,” he pointed out.

The religious leader added that despite the desire of some Pakistan leaders, the NATO supplies are still suspended.

“Our leaders are willing to reopen NATO supplies but our party is the biggest hurdle in such decision,” said the JUI-F leader. Former Senator said that few days back when he was in Balochistan he saw some NATO containers passing through Balochistan under the protection of federal forces.

Hafiz Hussian Ahmad to a question said that after Afghanistan, US will try to enter into the southern Balochistan province of Pakistan. “If US starts any military conflict from Balochistan, our country will turn into a battle field,” he warned.

He said that Afghan President Hamid Karzai should not forward the American agenda. Former Senator stressed the need of Ummah unity to counter anti-Islam conspiracies.

Hafiz Hussian Ahmad added that nuclear achievements of Pakistan belong to the whole Islamic world.