16 February 2005	Wednesday	06 Muharram 1426

MARDAN, Feb 15: The general-secretary of Pukhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) and former Senator Akram Khan, has alleged that Gen Pervez Musharraf has suspended basic rights of the people, particularly of smaller nationalities.

Speaking at a news conference at the Mardan Press Club on Tuesday, Mr Khan said the people of smaller nationalities would not accept The situation in which their rights had been suspended.

He said that the sword of National Security Council (NSC) was permanently hanging over parliament. He said that the provinces have been practically handed over to corps commanders the districts to colonels of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Therefore, he added, the Pakistan Oppressed Nations Movement (Ponam) was demanding the civilian government's superiority in parliament. He said that Ponam rejected the present system and the constitution and demanded a new constitution.

He accused Punjab of using the water, mineral resources, gas, gold and oil of smaller nations and now it planned to exploit the deep sea of Balochistan in the name of mega projects.

Mr Khan opposed the Kalabagh dam and said that three provinces of the country had already rejected the project. Mr Khan said that Ponam would hold a public meeting in Mardan on March 14, which will be addressed by the chairman of the PMAP and other Ponam leaders including Attaullah Mengal.