HYDERABAD, Oct 19: Noted intellectual and writer Tariq Ali has said that without founding a union of South Asian countries on the pattern of the European Union, regional problems, including the issue of provincial autonomy, cannot be resolved.

He said that the nationality issue was linked with democracy and following the disintegration of the Soviet Union and change in the economic system of China, the socialist movement in the world had adopted a new path.

He was talking to journalists at the residence of journalist and historian Zulfiqar Halepoto here on Tuesday.

Replying to a question about the issue of Sindh within the present framework, he said, the issue was totally dependent on restoration of true democracy in Pakistan.

He said that every country was affected by international situations and in the wake of the Afghanistan revolution, a US-friendly government of Ziaul Haq was imposed in Pakistan and the people were deprived of their democratic rights.

Tariq Ali said the formation of a union of South Asian countries was the need of the hour to resolve regional problems.

Answering a question about the population pressure on Sindh, he said when new countries were founded, it was difficult to stop influx of people.

Answering question about alleged step-motherly treatment meted out to Sindhi language, he said the issue arose after the creation of Pakistan and even a ban was imposed on the Punjabi language.

He recalled that when Urdu was given the status of national language, East Pakistan was the first province to oppose it.

About introduction of presidential system in Pakistan, he said, democracy was already very weak in the country and if the presidential system was introduced, democracy would become a misnomer.

He said that many a system had been experimented in Pakistan but for all practical purposes, only individuals ruled the country since the assassination of Liaquat Ali Khan.

He said that Ayub Khan ruled the country for 10 years and similarly there was one-man rule by Z. A. Bhutto and Ziaul Haq.

He said that even during the regimes of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, the democratic norms could not gain roots.

Tariq Ali was of the view that if military had not taken over in 1958, there would have been no One Unit and East Pakistan would not have seceded.

He pointed out that the Cabinet Mission vis-à-vis Pakistan had floated the concept of a confederation.

He said the foundations of the country have always remained weak due to absence of strong institutions.

He said that all the provinces should be given representation in the armed forces and recalled that East Pakistan had raised a similar demand.

He said that no Muslim was happy over the 9/11 incident and added that it was a despicable incident.

Replying to a question, he said his dream of revolution was very much alive.