June 19, 2003	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 18, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, June 18: The chief of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, on Wednesday warned that any deal struck at the Camp David by Gen Pervez Musharraf would have no legal, political or moral sanctity.

Talking to reporters here on Wednesday, he said more U-turns on vital national interests by the General were expected.

“U-turns and capitulations cannot be construed as compromises under the much-abused doctrine of supreme national interest,” he said, adding the fate of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat should be an eye opener for Gen Musharraf.

He alleged that the role of FBI was already increasing in the country. He demanded that the Pakistan army should not be sent to Iraq.

He said the U-turn on Afghanistan was justified to protect the country’s nuclear programme and Kashmir policy. “Now, we are being told to make compromises on these very issues,” he said. He said the nation would never accept sell-out on vital issues like nuclear programme, Kashmir issue and the question of recognition of Israel unless these issues were brought before the elected representatives in parliament.

Imran stated that it was the responsibility of democratic institutions to chalk out future course of nation. The people feel that Pakistan has been converted into a satellite state of the US, he alleged. He also expressed concern about the purpose and nature of Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz’s visit to nuclear installations just before the US visit and demanded an immediate response.

Referring to his question filed in the NA seeking a list of federal ministers/advisors and senior federal government employees, holding dual nationality or resident status in any other country, he said no response had been given even after the passage of three months.

About the legal framework order (LFO), he said the speaker had lost his credibility after declaring LFO as part of the Constitution.

“The entire opposition has lost its confidence over the speaker after the ruling,” he said and emphasized that under no circumstances could one person have the authority to amend the Constitution. He criticized Gen Musharraf for his tirade against the NWFP Assembly and government. It appears that the grounds were being prepared to dismiss the NWFP government, he said adding the resignation of NWFP Nazims appeared part of a conspiracy to use them to undermine the provincial government.

The PTI chief said the joint parliamentary opposition had a heavy responsibility to live up to the expectations of the people. Packing up of parliament would lead towards civil war, as gulf between the army and the civilians was already widening, he alleged.

He also demanded that Gen Musharraf should step down as army chief.