ISLAMABAD, June 15: President Qaumi Jamhoori Party (QJP) Asghar Khan on Saturday said the concept of basic democracy was introduced by the Britishers to control the people of subcontinent. “Today, same goals are being achieved by the present rulers.”

He was speaking at a seminar on “Protection and improvement of local government system” held at a local hotel. The seminar was organized by the Qaumi Jamhoori Party.

Asghar Khan said in 1970 he had asked the government to respect the verdict of the Bengalis and introduce the local government system in the country but the Bengalis were pushed to wall that led to the dismemberment of the country. He said Ayub Khan introduced this system but he used it as electoral college to his own advantage.

He said there was no legal loophole in the present local government system but the political parties were manipulating the situation to their own favour.

Later on, taking to the reporters Asghar Khan said: “If we want to bring peace, prosperity and stability to South Asia, we will have to give the people of Kashmir complete independence.” Division of Kashmir is no solution to the long-standing issue, he said, adding that after division of Kashmir the problems will remain intact and cross-border infiltration and terrorism will remain hot issues in the region.

He said it was in best interest of Pakistan and India that Kashmiris should be given their basic right of independence. “We must let Kashmiris live as an independent nation, Asghar Khan emphasized.

Speaking on the occasion, Haji Saifullah, former federal minister, said the local government system of Ayub Khan and Ziaul Haq was politicized that resulted in their failure. “Some people are doing the same to the present system.”

Barrister Haider Zaman Qureshi, District Nazim, Arifabad, said the present local government system had created a sense of collective leadership in Pakistan. This is why some politicians and establishment were trying to fail it, he said.

Dr Zafar Mirza, Secretary General of QJP, said protection and improvement of the local governments was an obligation of every Pakistani.