KARACHI, Nov 9: The Pakistan Muslim League Functional (PML-F) chief, Pir Pagara, has expressed apprehension about increasing possibility of another "U-turn" of ongoing political system saying that present assemblies are functioning only because of coercion and corruption.

He referred to his earlier observation about the possibility of holding next general election in 2005, but, now he did not see any prospect of the elections even in 2005.

Pir Pagara, who is also spiritual leader of Hur Jamaat, was informally talking to a group of journalists sharing his table at the Iftar/dinner hosted by PML leader Capt (Retd) Haleem Siddiqui in Sunset Garden, DHA.

When asked about the future of present assemblies, the PML-F chief said keeping in view of the situation prevailing in the country, the assemblies could not last as their existence was based on coercion and corruption.

When his attention was drawn towards a reported statement of PPP Parliamentarian leader in Sindh Assembly Nisar Ahmad Khuhro in which he who had opposed opening the Khokhrapar-Munabao route with India saying that if this route was opened Sindhis would be reduced to minority, Pir Pagara quipped if Bengalis would be coming from this route to reduce Sindhis into minority. He was of the view that if the route was opened people would be saved from taking trouble to go to Lahore for crossing Wagah border for visiting India.

In reply to another question, he said that he was with the present government, but opposed to the leadership of Muslim League led by Chaudhry Shujaat. He claimed that he had made it clear to President Musharraf that the PML should not be made the party of "Biradris" and until there were traces of Chaudhries who had ignored 70 years services of late Abdul Sattar, the PML could not be the party worth joining it.

However, he said, if its leadership was changed and the party was re-organized from grassroots level of like-minded people and not of ISI-like-minded people, the PML-F could rejoin the Muslim League.

When asked as to how long the present set up would last in Sindh, he said that he did not see any future either of the chief minister or of the prime minister. However, before the system goes, Arbab Ghulam Rahim would go.

Commenting on MQM chief Altaf Hussain visit to India, the PML-F chief said until cow was being worshipped by Hindus and Muslims would be eating beef, the two nation theory could not be wrapped up. He further said that as far as implications of the visit of Altaf Hussain to India, Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad should be asked. "The decisions are being taken elsewhere as such Altaf's visit to India was meaningless," he added.

About opposition's programme to launch movement from Karachi against the government by holding a public meeting on Nov 28, Pir Pagara said that any movement could only be launched with courage and boldness, which he did not see in the ranks of the opposition.