01 February 2005	Tuesday	21 Zilhaj 1425

KARACHI, Jan 31: Leaders of various opposition parties have stressed on a joint struggle for the restoration of democracy and 1973 Constitution, bringing an end to military interference in political affairs and rule of law.

They were speaking at a dinner hosted by PML-N leader Salim Zia at his residence for Mian Raza Rabbani, opposition leader in the Senate, on Sunday. They were of the considered opinion that all political problems could be resolved through negotiations with concerned people and consultation with relevant political power.

Raza Rabbani of PPP criticized the government for its failure in announcing the NFC Award, and reiterated his party's stand that the resources contributed by provinces, and not only population, should be made the basis for the distribution of income.

He said that in the senate session, commencing Feb 2, the issue of Balochistan would be raised jointly by the opposition parties. He said that being the opposition leader in the house, he felt it as his responsibility to help redress the grievances of all provinces, especially the smaller ones.

He thanked ARD, ANP, PONM and other opposition forces for supporting him as opposition leader in the senate. Prof Khursheed Ahmed, who was his rival candidate for the position, was also played a very positive role, he said.

Regarding Balochistan situation, he said the problems contributing to the unrest could only be resolved through a dialogue, and opposed use of force is resolving any matter.

The government, instead of avoiding talks with the people of Balochistan, should consider their reservations over establishment of cantonments and mega projects, as well as grievances vis-à-vis the NFC Award and other issues.

Mian Rabbani also demanded holding of local bodies elections in all 55 cantonments of the country and opposed the government's plan to reduce union council seats from 21 to 13.

PML-N leader Mamnoon Hussain, observing that key institutions had been destroyed by the government, suggested that military interference in political affairs was responsible for the situation.

Calling for joint efforts by all democratic forces to strengthen democracy in the country, he said PML-N would play its due role along with other parties for the purpose. "We believe that 2005 would be the year of elections and all parties should support the party which came into power in the elections," he said.

Salim Zai clarified that his party was not against the armed forces, but only certain generals who had indulged themselves in political matters. He was of the view that all the current issues, such as Kalabagh Dam, developments in Sui, Gwader Port, NFC Award, etc., should be discussed in senate and National Assembly so that a consensus could be evolved.

He ruled out his party's intention for any compromise with the dictators at any cost. "We are not in a hurry to come into power; we have started a long struggle and other opposition parties should join hands against the dictators,'' he said. Meraj Mohammad Khan said that Pakistan was faced with a '1971-like situation and all parties should think seriously about a solution.

Referring to the Hamoodur Rehman Commission report, he said that the Dhaka debacle had been caused by martial law and military interference in political affairs. "We should try to stop this spiral of military interferences to avoid the situation becoming more critical," he suggested.

Mr Khan recalled General Musharraf's statement that "it's not 1971", and said that the general was very correct in saying this "because people of all four provinces, even the people of Punjab, 0at this moment have been opposing a military operation in Balochistan."

BNP leader Mir Hasil Bizenjo said that the Sui issue could have been resolved easily but the government had not been realizing the situation. "Had the accused been arrested promptly, the situation would not have deteriorated," he added.

He deplored that half a division of the army had been deployed in Sui and one full division in Gwadar while 500 families living in Sui had been ordered to move to some place 28 kilometres away from the town.

"The situation is critical and all political parties should play their due role before it went out of control." Habibuddin Junaidi, Muzafar Shujrah, Fouzia Wahab, Taj Haider, Rashid Rabbani, Saeed Ghani, Anas Noorani, Hafiz Mohammad Taqi, Mohammad Hussain Mahenti, Younus Barai, Maulana Abdul Karim Abid, Asad Thanvi, Mufti Usman Yar Khan, Aslam Mujahid, Amin Khatak, Khawaja Tariq Nazir, Malik Naeem, Sardar Rahim, Tariq Khan and many other opposition leaders were present on the occasion. - PPI