12 February 2005	Saturday	02 Muharram 1426

KARACHI, Feb 11: The Pakistan Muslim League-N has asserted that only an uninterrupted political process can bring stability to Pakistan and help resolve the pressing problems being faced by masses.

PML-N Information Secretary Siddiq-ul-Farooq, addressing at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Friday, said that the persistent crisis, which was getting deeper with every passing day, could only be overcome by holding free, fair and transparent elections through an independent election commission, which must be constituted with the consensus of all parties.

Calling for the setting up of a consensus caretaker government, he said the prevailing situation in Balochistan was the outcome of the long-standing sense of deprivation, created by the denial of provincial autonomy, in the local population.

The PML leader observed that the situation in Balochistan was being exploited by hostile forces across the borders whose agents were instrumental in providing sophisticated arms and training to anti-state and anti-social elements.

He remarked that the country had to suffer when generals came to the forefront, and warned people of a conspiracy to pitch army against people to cause harm to the country once again.

With regard to the investigations into the Dr Shazia case, he alleged that the accused, Capt Hammad, was at large and being protected because he happened to be a son of a serving General.

Mr Farooq said the issue of Balochistan could only be resolved if people of that province were given their constitutional rights and due share in the natural resources of their province, and the genuine political leadership of the province was recognized and the same leadership was engaged in any dialogue aimed at resolving the issue.

In reply to questions by journalists, he advised generals to learn a lesson from the country's history. Commenting on the forced exile of former prime ministers Mian Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto, he said that the popular leaders had been forced to opt for self-exile when they refused to accept Gen Musharraf as president despite the latter's hectic efforts through government emissaries.

Replying to some other questions, he described the controversies pertaining to Pakistan ideology and other sentimental issues as 'a calculated move' by the rulers to divert people's attention from pressing problems, Balochistan situation, military operation in Wana, handing over of bases to foreign powers, etc.

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