KARACHI, Jan 13: Speakers at the national convention of the Women Action Forum stressed that only a true democratic set up supported by an independent judiciary and free media could enable the country to meet the serious challenges it was faced with for long.

The convention reviewed the deepening crises arising out of the uncontrolled rise in religious extremism, increasing use of armed force against citizens and attacks on women, besides the state’s aggressive attitude towards the media, the genuine judiciary and lawyers.

The forum held Gen (Retd) Pervez Musharraf responsible for the crises, and urged him to step down immediately. It also called for the removal of the caretaker set up and formation of a consensus nation government to establish a true and deep rooted democracy in Pakistan.

The WAF also demanded an end to military interventions in the political affairs of the country once and for all, and said that divisive imperialist policies should be done away with.

Condemning the Dec 27 assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, the forum demanded UN investigation and an independent inquiry by a commission headed by Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, the deposed chief justice of Pakistan.

The convention condemned attacks on women politicians and use of abusive and slanderous language in the election campaigns run by certain political and ethnic parties.

It called for the setting up of an independent election commission that could ensure free, fair and transparent elections and decency in electioneering. The local governments must be suspended until the elections, it added.

Observing that the military institution was in control of the entire state machinery, it called for an accountability through the public accounts committee of the parliament to bring on record the utilisation of billions of dollars drawn from various international sources.

The convention called for the release of all lawyers, judges and activists arrested or detained for opposing the Musharraf regime. It demanded the restoration of pre-Nov 3 judiciary and withdrawal of the amendments to the Army Act 1952 that provided for permanent military courts.

It also stressed withdrawal of all curbs on the media and repeal of the Pemra Ordinance, and called for ensuring safety and security of journalists and other media workers.

The WAF observed that the country was in a serious food and energy crisis created by the government’s flawed policies, and said that the masses, already burdened by price-hike, were adversely affected by the artificial shortage of wheat flour and other essential items.

The WAF declaration was read out by Anis Haroon.