ISLAMABAD, June 7: Pakistan People's Party chairperson Benazir Bhutto has warned that state institutions are collapsing and urgent remedial measures are needed to avert a catastrophe.

According to PPP media cell here, Ms Bhutto sounded the warning while talking to media in London on Monday after several rounds of party meetings during the last few days.

"When men in uniform begin to make assassination attempts against their seniors, it is a signal of collapsing institutions that calls for drastic remedial action," the former prime minister said.

She said it was a shame that today a sitting army chief had to admit that his own men in uniform were involved in the two assassination attempt against him. Those who think that force, aggression, and oppression is the answer make a critical mistake, she said, and added that it was also a lesson of history that those who used force and forgo political actions suffered the biggest setbacks.

This is because the power of ideas is stronger than the power of force. It is hearts and minds that win political battles, she maintained. Ms Bhutto said the unelected rulers exploited the war on terrorism to benefit themselves. Suicide bombings are increasing, people are fleeing homes, while mere lip service is paid to fighting terrorism.

She said the dictators had a vested interest in creating problems in Afghanistan and in Wana to prolong their rule. "And they don not care what happens to the people of our country," she added.

The former premier said Pakistan's sense of pride was tarnished by the debacle at Kargil and the situation in Wana, where a handful of Uzbek and Chechen militants forced the Pakistan army into a ceasefire and negotiations.

"This is a situation that demoralizes the armed forces and the country," she said. The army chief says he does not want to take off his uniform because he knows that those who have put him there will no longer be under his command and can replace him at will, she maintained.

Ms Bhutto criticized the military spending and said the money should be spent on citizens' welfare. Billions are being spent on building a housing complex in Islamabad and a new General Headquarters, while they have already acquired umpteen commercial and residential plots, she said.

"It is simply wrong that we exploit the resources of our hardworking people to enrich a small coterie in the name of defence." Benazir Bhutto said the PPP respected the armed forces and had done more for the military than any other governments in the history of Pakistan.

But she said, the PPP rejected the creation of an elite 'Khaki' class created by exploiting the people of Pakistan. The dictators had brought ruin and shame to the country, she said.