'HuT has formed shadow govt. for Pakistan'

Washington, Mar 7 (ANI): Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HuT) chief for Palestine, Brigadier Amir Riaz, has claimed that the banned group has prepared a new constitution and a shadow government for Pakistan and that the group is ready to take over anytime.

Brigadier (retd) Ali Khan, who is accused of plotting to topple the democratic government and mount attacks on the army headquarters, had met Brigadier Riaz, head of 111 Brigade, while he was conspiring to overthrow the government and create Islamic caliphate, the BBC quoted a senior military officer, as saying.

Brigadier Amir Riaz, who has now been promoted to the rank of Major-General, has been introduced by the prosecution as a witness against Brig Ali, who is currently facing court martial proceedings.

Brig Riaz (now Maj-Gen) said in a statement that a few months back Brig Ali had expressed distrust in Pakistan's incumbent civil and military leaderships and had called for establishing Islamic caliphate in the country.

According to the prosecution documents, Brig Ali had allegedly told his former colleagues that he had friends in the HuT and that he had met the group's chief for Palestinian territory.

"Brig Ali told me that HuT could establish a real caliphate, which could also ensure good governance in Pakistan. He also told me that HuT has prepared an alternative constitution and a shadow government which could take over anytime," Brig Riaz said.

Brig Riaz, who has been named as a witness by the prosecution, was promoted to the rank of Major General following his statement against Brig Ali, the BBC report said.

Brig Ali believed that HuT could establish caliphate in Pakistan only if the military handed over power to the group, Brig Riaz said, adding that this was not possible until the incumbent military brass was removed. (ANI)