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| January 21, 2002 | Monday | Ziqa’ad 6, 1422 |
Ponam opposes army’s political role
NAWABSHAH, Jan 20: The army should not interfere in politics in the future, acting president of Pakistan Oppressed Nations Movement, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, said here the other day.
Addressing the Nawabshah Bar Association, he said if some army officials were interested in politics, they should first resign from service and then enter politics.
He alleged that ISI was interfering in politics and bringing forward its own chosen leaders.
Mr Achakzai said justice had vanished from the country as people and nations lacked rights and were living a very poor life.
He said the representation of smaller nationalities in the army was almost non-existent.
He said he had “worshipped politics” and loved Pakistan, but regretted that the country was in crisis, for which the army and the bureaucracy were to blame, “who had forcibly taken over the country.”
He demanded framing of a new constitution to give equal rights to small provinces and the Seraikis.
He clarified that he was not against Punjab and did not hate any language but he was against the type of democracy which the largest province espoused.
He declared that Ponam would not compromise on the issue of provincial autonomy. He pointed out that according to the resolutions of United Nations, every Sindhi, Balochi enjoys the first right on its minerals.
He pointed out that the 1973 constitution was the main hindrance to achieving provincial autonomy.
Secretary General, Ponam, Syed Jalal Mahmood Shah said that Sindh was fighting for its rights even before the inception of Pakistan. He said that Sindhis had sacrificed a lot for Pakistan but still they were living below poverty line.
Dr Qadir Magsi, President Sindh Taraqqi Passand Party, said that Punjab was taking the major portion of the taxes received at Karachi and was not ready to give royalty of gas.