KARACHI, Oct 16: Leader of the opposition in the Senate Mian Raza Rabbani on Monday rejected the government’s contention that criticising the armed force was unconstitutional and, as such, this would not be allowed.

If the armed forces continued to meddle in governance and power sharing, it should be prepared for such criticism, he remarked while talking to newsmen at an Iftar party hosted by a local PPP leader, Khalil Qureshi.

Mian Rabbani stressed that the armed force must confine themselves to a role defined under the Article 243 and 245 of the Constitution.

He accused the government of spreading disinformation to fracture the opposition’s strength, and expressed confidence that despite all such attempts, the resistance would become stronger and more lethal.

He categorically rejected the government’s claim about a secret dialogue between it and the PPP or any other opposition party, making it clear that the PPP had neither sought power through back channels, nor would it strive for this in the future.

Mr Rabbani, who is also Deputy Secretary General of the PPP, said that if free, fair and transparent elections were held in the country, the ruling party’s candidates for top slots would lose their surety deposits.

Rejecting the claim of having improved economy, Mr Rabbani said that during the last nine months alone, there had been a deficit of $3.16 billion, and deplored that the country’s resources were being siphoned out and sold to foreigners under a plan.

PPP Sindh chief Syed Qaim Ali Shah also accused the government of failing to address common man’s problems and expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation.