03 September 2004	Friday	17 Rajab 1425

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 2: Chairperson of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Benazir Bhutto on Thursday said the challenges being faced by the nation were beyond the capacity of the new civilian cabinet to deal with.

In a statement, Ms Bhutto said despite unprecedented inflows of foreign money through grants as well as rescheduling of debts, poverty in the country had increased. The spectre of terrorism, suicide bombings, rising unemployment, inflation, lack of basic services, spiralling utility prices, poorly-equipped hospitals and outdated education curriculum were some of the issues that confronted the new cabinet, she said.

She noted that reforms were necessary to provide impartial justice, protect the fundamental rights of all citizens, especially the human dignity of women, minorities and weaker segments of the population and to give the people a sense of security.

She said the PPP was worried that terrorism continued to haunt the country as suicide bombings and explosions belied all claims of peace and security. She said political divisions and politically-motivated policies had eroded the internal social fabric in the country.

These grave issues needed addressing through concrete steps that could take Pakistan onto the road of federalism, democracy, provincial autonomy and people's emancipation as envisaged by Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and as worked for by Quaid-i- Awam Z. A. Bhutto, she said.