July 17, 2007	Tuesday	Rajab 01, 1428

LAHORE, July 16: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Malik Ghulam Mustafa Khar on Monday disapproved of the party’s policy of causing defections in the ruling party, saying this was part of a conspiracy to frustrate the workers who had waged an unprecedented struggle for democracy.

Mr Khar told a news conference at the Lahore Press Club that the workers got an impression from the inclusion of turncoats in the party that PPP’s provincial leaders were pursuing a policy of “opportunism”.

“For genuine workers this trend means that they are being sidelined and opportunists will get reward at their expense in the next elections and that the party has no regard for their unprecedented sacrifices,” Mr Khar added.

He said he had “sincerely” advised PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto to review the policy of certain provincial PPP leaders for whom the workers’ struggle had no value. He said such leaders did not understand how genuine political parties worked.

Mr Khar, also a former Punjab governor, advised Ms Bhutto to avoid issuing statements that showed the PPP’s soft corner for the policies of President Gen Pervez Musharraf. He said her words had confused party leaders and workers who had struggled for decades for the restoration of a genuine democratic order in the country.

He said the party’s image would shatter if Ms Bhutto took oath as prime minister for a third time along Gen Musharraf as president as well as army chief. He said diehards PPP workers and people would not support any government that came to power with the help of the establishment.

He said Ms Bhutto and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Nawaz Sharif should reconsider their decisions for returning to home “at an appropriate time”. He asked the two exiled leaders to return to the country keeping in view the political scenario and without waiting for the announcement of election schedule.

Mr Khar appealed to the political parties to rise above their “ideological differences” and lead the masses to dislodge the military government for a genuine democracy in the country. “They (Ms Bhutto and Mr Sharif) have only two choices: they should demonstrate the courage that is required by the country’s critical situation and forge a unity to save the federation or accept their defeat,” he added.

Mr Khar claimed the General Headquarters had instructed the security personnel in the NWFP and Punjab not to wear uniform in the areas of civilian population. He said that only few senior armed forces officials were responsible for the widening of gulf between the security services and the people. He said the military operation at Lal Masjid was not done in the national interest but to create a situation where the general elections could be delayed. Besides, the operation was aimed at getting appreciation from the American government, he said, adding that it was unfortunate that all was done at the cost of the already fragile federation.

Mr Khar also criticised Muttahida Qaumi Movement Chief Altaf Husain and the rulers who, he said, were working on some secret agenda. He said that he could foresee the results if the government announced general elections now. He said Gen Musharraf had lost his “last chance to quit with honour” and the prevailing circumstances did not make another such opportunity (of safe exit) even with the help of his close allies.