09 February 2004	Monday	17 Zilhaj 1424

MARDAN, Feb 8: Pakistan People's Party provincial President Khwaja Mohammad Khan Hoti criticized President Pervez Musharraf for heaping condemnation on politicians and mediamen for allegedly ignoring national interests and exposing country's political situation in the face of nuclear proliferation.

Talking to reporters here on Sunday, Mr Hoti said Gen Musharraf exiled former prime ministers and humiliated national heroes, while his predecessor had hanged the creator of the country's nuclear programme.

He said the country was passing through a critical political turmoil which demanded that the former prime ministers be allowed to return to the country and the jailed politicians released, so that the country's vital assets could be safeguarded and a political solution found to the difficult situation.