US presence root cause of all trouble in region: JI

Islamabad, Sep.15 (ANI): Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Syed Munawar Hasan has blamed the US presence for all the troubles facing the region currently.

Hasan said the US presence in the region is the root cause of militancy and all other problems.

"American presence in the region is the root cause of extremism, and peace in the region is linked with the ouster of the NATO troops," The Nation quoted Hasan, as saying.

"Peace can never return to Pakistan unless and until US presence and interference is done away with," he added.

Referring to US Secretary of States Hillary Clinton's recent statement that Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, and Taliban kingpin Mullah Omar were hiding inside Pakistan's geographical territory, Hasan said it was a 'preparatory step to invade the country'.

He criticized the Gilani government for following the American agenda.

"From sky US is killing innocent tribesmen through drone attacks while on ground Pakistan Army is doing same through artillery," Hasan said.

He said that after Ramadan, the JI would launch a 'Go America Go' drive with full force and would continue it till its objectives are fulfilled. (ANI)