March 12, 2007	Monday	Safar 22, 1428

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PESHAWAR, March 11: Senior leader of the Awami National Party (ANP) Mohammed Ajmal Khattak has called upon all responsible forces in the country, including army, politicians, bureaucracy and civil society, to sit together and find a democratic way to pull the country out of the crisis-like situation.

Talking to journalists here on Sunday, he said the formation of a consensus national government could prove to be the starting point for bringing real democracy in the country to enable it to meet internal and external challenges effectively.

He said that the army should pave way for establishing full civilian rule in the country while politicians should adopt a way to turn a uniformed president into a civilian president. Parliament, judiciary and other institutions should also play their role within the constitutional framework, he urged.

“The prevailing situation may aggravate if immediate remedial steps are not taken,” he said, adding that if the situation was dealt with in a traditional manner, it would put the national integrity at stake.

He said that the unbearable price hike, rising unemployment and worsening law and order situation had already caused unrest and insecurity among the people.

Mr Khattak said the situation was even worse than in 1971. Hatred for the government was growing and any further mistakes by the rulers could instigate the masses and force them to take to streets. He said that no individual, group or institution could alone find a solution to the prevailing crisis like situation in the country. For the purpose, all loyal and patriotic forces and institutions should sit together and find out a democratic way to pull the country out of the prevailing situation, he added.

He said for the formation of a national government, free and fair elections should be held and all exiled leaders be given a chance to participate in the democratic process.

The government should be formed on the basis of proportional representation, he said, adding that parliament and other institutions should be given full autonomy.

The veteran politician said the constitution should be framed with the consensus of all federating units keeping in view the internationally-recognised human, social, political and democratic rights.

This way, the country could be brought to the path of real democracy, he said.

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