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JI referendum

against CTBT

N A SHEIKH

ISLAMABAD: The nationwide referendum organised by Jamaat-e-Islami has vowed against the signing of the comprehensive test ban treaty (CTBT).

Announcing the result of the referendum at a press conference here on Friday, the Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami, Qazi Hussain Ahmed, said the total votes cast numbered 15,446,038. The number of votes against CTBT was 15,224,600 while the number of votes in favour of signing the treaty was 167,708. He said that 53,730 votes were rejected. Thus, the percentage against the signing of the CTBT was 98.56.

Giving the province-wise figures, Qazi said that Punjab rejected with an overwhelming majority. Of the 82,56,529 votes cast in Punjab, the votes against the treaty numbered 81,37,481. The votes in favour of the treaty numbered 88,119 while the rejected votes were 30,929. Thus more than 98.55 percent rejected the signing of the treaty.

In Sindh, the total votes cast numbered 38,21,112. Total votes against the treaty numbered 3,757,118 and votes in favour were 53,667 while the rejected ballots numbered 10,327. Thus, more than 98.32 percent was against the signing of the treaty.

In NWFP, he said, the total votes cast were 3,214,974. Votes against numbered 3,181,948; votes for CTBT numbered 21,407 and ballots rejected numbered 11,619. Thus, the rejection percentage was 98.97 Ñ the highest in the country.

In Balochistan, JI Amir said total 153,423 votes were cast. Votes against were 148,053; votes for were 4,515 and ballots rejected were 855. Thus, 9,649 percent rejected the CTBT.

Qazi also provided district-wise figures, including Wazirastan, Dera Bugti, Zhob and Lasbela.

Explaining the objective behind the referendum, the JI chief said that it was an attempt to keep the people united on one stand. "To ascertain the wishes of the people", he said, "that most modern technology was used as we believe in the principle of 'diyanat and amanat', of which the people are fully convinced."

He said that the USA has no right to insist on the signing of the CTBT when its own Senate has rejected the ratification of the treaty. He expressed the fear that the United States would unilaterally announce the acceptance of India as a nuclear power as was evident from the statement of American Secretary of State, Madeline Albright that CTBT would be signed/ratified suddenly.

Qazi said that General Pervez Musharraf "has no right" to go against more than 15.22 million people's views.

He said that his party would take part in what he called the local bodies elections, but demanded that women should be given 50 percent representation at all levels.

Qazi demanded of Gen. Musharraf the expulsion of advisers like Attiya Inayatullah and Javed Jabbar.