August 28, 2006	Monday	Sha'aban 3, 1427

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LAHORE, Aug 27: PML-N MNA Khwaja Saad Rafiq has disputed claims by some “pseudo Bugti tribe leaders” that Nawab Akbar Bugti had no influence in Balochistan.

“If they are right in their claims, then why curfew has been imposed in some areas and why there are disturbances in various parts of the country,” he asked at an emergency news conference here on Sunday.

MNA Pervaiz Malik, former secretary-general Zaeem Qadri, Lahore organisation president and secretary-general Mian Marghoob Ahmed and Mian Mujtaba Shujaa were also present.

Saad said the JWP chief’s `murder’ was an attack on the federation and the government could not contain its negative impact through `misstatements.’

He expressed concern on reports that Dr AQ Khan was suffering from cancer. He said cancer treatment was not possible as long as the architect of Pakistan’s nuclear programme was under detention.

The PML-N leader said if generals and some ruling party leaders could meet Dr Khan, why opposition lawmakers were not allowed to see him.

He demanded that either Dr Khan should be brought to the house or leaders of various opposition parties be allowed to meet him.

Saad was also critical of the government for detaining Jamatud Dawa leader Hafiz Muhammad Saeed despite his patriotism and services to the quake-hit people of AJK.

He said the no-confidence motion against the prime minister was also against the `fake system’ given by Gen Musharraf.

He said a number of proposals would come under discussion at the Monday meeting of the ARD.

A meeting of the PML-N

central working committee is also scheduled for Monday (today).

Answering a question, Saad said the present National Assembly would not survive for long.

He said the opposition parties were close to forming a grand alliance against the government.

Meanwhile, Punjab PPP President and Information Secretary Qasim Zia and Farzana Raja have expressed grief and sorrow over the killing of JWP chief Akbar Bugti and condemned the tragic incident in strongest terms.

In a statement here on Sunday, they said the killing would aggravate the situation in Balochistan.

They said the PPP would abide by any decision taken by the ARD.