QUETTA, May 25: Former diplomat Mir Shahjahan Khan Khetran has called upon President Pervez Musharraf and political parties to shun their differences and jointly make efforts for mobilizing the people of the country to meet the threat of Indian aggression.

Speaking at a press conference at the Quetta Press Club on Saturday, he said it was the need of the hour to unite the nation in view of heavy deployment of the India armed forces at the eastern borders.

Mr Khetran remarked that the country needed a complete consensus and unity, as India was threatening its integrity and solidarity. He said, “It is not proper time to settle score against each other.”

He suggested to President Musharraf to convene an all parties’ conference and invite PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto and PML-(N) leader Nawaz Sharif to attend such a moot for consultation on the volatile situation created by the Indian war threats.

Both sides should set aside their differences for the time being in the larger interest of the country and should adopt a joint stand against India, which was benefiting from those differences, he observed.

“Nobody should make it his ego’s problem,” the former diplomat said, adding that despite serious differences with the Indian prime minister, opposition leader Sonia Gandhi had joined hands with Mr Vejpayee on the issue of war against Pakistan.

He called upon both sides to show great tolerance and get united to face the Indian threats.

Replying to a question, he said the PPP and the PML-N had support among the masses and could play an important role in motivating the people for meeting the Indian challenge. “Our armed forces are capable to defend the country and we have confidence in their ability,” he said.

Answering another question, Mr Khetran said Gen Musharraf should conduct free and fair general election in the country and all the parties should be allowed to take part in the polls.

He said merging of the Barkhan district with Loralai had rendered over 500 people of the area jobless and had created many more problems for them. He demanded that the status of the Barkhan district be restored.