SUKKUR, May 22: The government’s foreign, Kashmir, defence and economic policies have put the country’s integrity at stake, two leaders of the Alliance for the Restoration of democracy said here on Sunday. ARD leaders Sardar Rahim Khan and Zain Ansari, who are touring the province in connection with a public meeting to be held in Karachi on May 28 to mark the Youm-i-Takbir, said at a press conference that those responsible for making the foreign and economic policies were jeopardizing the independence of the country.

They said former prime minister Nawaz Sharif tested the nuclear bomb despite tremendous pressure and made the country secure but the present rulers were ready to roll back the nuclear programme.

They said the rulers thought that enlightened moderation was needed more than the nuclear programme.

They said every state desired friendly relations with its neighbouring countries on equal terms but the government were ready to sacrifice the country’s dignity for relations with India.

They said Mr Sharif had entered into dialogue with Indian leaders on equal terms and former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpaee visited Lahore but now President Gen Pervez Musharraf, who was also the army chief, was issuing statements which were against the dignity and independence of the country.

Condemning the stance of the federal government over the National Finance Commission award, they said it was trying to spread hatred among the provinces.

They demanded share for Sindh under the award on the basis of its income.

They said unemployment was on the rise and about 400 people had committed suicide during the last year.

They alleged that the government was trying to weaken the political parties.

They termed the attitude of President Musharraf over the reported desecration of the holy Quran by the United States forces condemnable and said the government should officially ask the US to apologize for it.

They said the policies of President Musharraf had failed and the law and order situation was deteriorating.

Replying to a question, they said no dialogue was taking place between Nawaz Sharif, former chief minister Shahbaz Sharif and President Musharraf.

They said real democracy would never prevail in the country till the leaders of the two major parties were not allowed to take part in it.

They said any election held without the participation of former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto would be fake.

Replying to a question, they said the president was more interested in maintaining his military uniform than the ideological boundaries of the country.