Pakistan - News and Discussion 6

[acharya]

Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Current political situation will lead to civil war, says Khar

* PPP leader says crisis can only be averted with Musharraf’s resignation
* Current PML has become the GHQ’s mistress

Staff Report
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?p...0-6-2006_pg7_37

LAHORE: Pakistan’ current political situation will lead to civil war and the crisis can only be reverted by President General Pervez Musharraf resigning from both offices, said Pakistan People’s Party Central Leader Malik Ghulam Mustafa Khar at a press conference on Monday.
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“Pakistan’s economy and integrity have been damaged by every military ruler that came to power,” said Khar, a former Punjab chief minister. He said that history showed military rulers implementing bogus policies and damaging the country. </span>High levels of corruption and inefficiency in government departments and a dire law and order situation in the country mark military rule, he added. “Generals undermine democracy by concentrating powers in their hands and destroying provincial autonomy.”

The former chief minister said that military rulers had used the Pakistan Muslim League (PML) for their own motives and destroyed the party that had at one time represented Pakistan’s ideology. “The PML fought for the rights of Indian Muslims against the British government and Indian National Congress, <span style='color:red'>but now its has become the General Headquarters’ mistress,”</span> he said, adding that people were against military rule and would fight to end it.

“Musharraf’s regime has destroyed the country’s unity, judiciary, bureaucracy, press, army and political parties,” said Khar. He praised former military chief Gen Jehangir Karamat for “gracefully resigning” from his post. Army officials should follow Karamat’s lead and resign if they develop differences with the government, he added. He requested world leaders to use their influence and ensure free and fair elections were held in Pakistan. World leaders should also ensure that Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif and Altaf Hussain participate in the polls, he added.

Khar said that Benazir would return to the country soon. He said that “espionage agents” had infiltrated all major political parties of the country. He refused to name them.