LAHORE, Nov 4: Former information secretary of the Millat Party, Brig (retd) Muhammad Yousaf, advised President Musharraf on Sunday to use the power of his military uniform for national development by laying the foundation of Kalabagh Dam (KBD) without delay.

In a statement, he said that was the best time to launch a project which had been made controversial by vested interests. On this dam depended the economic survival of the country, he argued.

Yousaf said the president should also take steps to promote austerity in the country. Import of luxury vehicles should be banned and small locally manufactured cars encouraged, he said.

In his opinion the people would emulate in a big way if the austerity drive started from the presidency.

He said effective steps should be taken to control price hike as the living of the common man had become very difficult.

He warned the rulers not to touch the 1973 Constitution, for even 10 generations would not be able to evolve a consensus on the basic law.

He was critical of the imposition of emergency. — Political Correspondent