NEW YORK, Jan 16: Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto said on Sunday that the unrest in Sindh, Balochistan and the North-West Province threatens the unity and integrity of federation and held President Pervez Musharraf and the perpetual military rule responsible for the crisis.

Addressing a gathering of Pakistan People’s Party workers at a local hotel she observed: “The situation in provinces demand political solutions; unfortunately military interventions undermine unity and integrity of our country.”

Ms Bhutto who had previously stated at a press conference that she would return to Pakistan soon to contest Senate elections, noted that there was unrest in tribal areas and Balochistan and the announcement of construction of the Kalabagh dam had created unrest in Sindh. “Three of our provinces are in turmoil and people of Punjab are concerned about the situation in these three provinces. “

“We know Pakistan was created on democratic principles and only democratic principles can keep our nation together,” she asserted .

Reflecting on Washington’s support for Gen Musharraf, the self-exiled PPP leader observed: “But of course, Washington supports him because he does what Washington wants him to do. President Bush is happy with him”

However, she regretted that Gen Musharraf does not listen to the voice of the people of Pakistan .

She said that “countries are kept together by political institutions and by the constitution and the rule of law” and marginalising the larger political parties undermined the unity and integrity of Pakistan.

She criticised the inability of the military government to wipe out militancy in the tribal areas which she said, had created a vacuum leading to infusion of outside forces.

Speaking about freedom of the press in Pakistan, Ms Bhutto stressed: “The press in Pakistan is not free .”Yes the press is free to write against politicians but write against Musharraf or any of the army generals your car will get burnt or you will be beaten and end in exile in Washington”.