24 December 2004	Friday	11 Ziqa'ad 1425

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 23: Deputy information secretary of the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) Munir Ahmed Khan has said Gen Musharraf's statement that Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif could not come to Pakistan shows that there is no democracy in the country.

Talking to Dawn here on Monday, the ARD deputy information secretary questioned the authority of Gen Pervez Musharraf for issuing such a statement. Mr Khan said it had been proved that the parliament was not functioning independent, cabinet was only a rubber stamp and only a military ruler was calling his shots.

Mr Khan said every military dictator, from Ayub Khan to Gen Zia and now Gen Musharraf, had adopted similar tactics of removing the popular leadership through use of force.

He also criticized the statement of Gen Musharraf regarding reorganisation of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML). He said being an army chief and the "so-called president", he could not patronise a political party in the country. "By doing so, Gen Musharraf is insulting both the offices," he opined.

Mr Khan said the decision regarding return of Benazir Bhutto to the country would be made by the Central Executive Committee of the party, and not Gen Musharraf. He said the opposition would successfully force the government to hold general elections next year.