February 18, 2006	Saturday	Muharram 19, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 17: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Benazir Bhutto has said that stability in Pakistan and the region can only come through the restoration of democracy in Pakistan.

She stated this in a letter to Commonwealth Secretary- General Don McKinnon, appreciating his remarks that President Gen Pervez Musharraf “must give up” either the presidency or his army post when his current presidential term ends in 2007.

“The real source of instability in the country is the involvement of the military in the political affairs of the country that has created ethnic and sectarian insecurity,” said the former prime minister.

“People of Pakistan who are hungry, unemployed and suffering discrimination seek the early demilitarisation of our political life,” she said, alleging that “the military regime” was using “religious extremism” to prolong its hold on power.

Ms Bhutto said the “$900 million in unbudgeted assistance and $600 million in budgeted assistance” from foreign governments was sustaining “the dictatorship” in Pakistan.

“General Musharraf has done his best to weaken the moderate political parties by forcing their leaders into exile, denying them the right to form a government by postponing assembly sessions indefinitely and fictionalisation by coercing or seducing members into defections. He has also systematically rigged elections to send the message that only those persons will be allowed to win who do not belong to the moderate and popular leadership of the country,” she said.

With her letter, she also sent a memorandum to the Commonwealth secretary-general on electoral reforms proposed by Pakistan People’s Party calling for an interim government as in Bangladesh for holding elections in which chief justice and other retired judges handover power to the majority party after polls.

No members of this caretaker government, which may only hold office for 90 days, can contest the general election.

The memo suggests an interim government, independent election commission, disbandment of intelligence agencies from election process, powers to the commission to visit all monitory centres set up by military and agencies etc. Ms Bhutto requested the Commonwealth to circulate the sentiments of the PPP to other members of the Commonwealth Ministerial Commission.