ISLAMABAD, May 18: Former premier and chairperson of the Pakistan People‘s Party Benazir Bhutto has said that the latest tensions on the border and the threats of a potentially nuclear war emphasized the need for a political change in Pakistan so that our people could once again walk with pride on the road to progress and peace.

In a statement she expressed her deep concern over the tension at India-Pakistan border which threatened a war for the third time since General Musharraf became army chief in 1999.

The killing of the wives and children of Indian army officers in an attack by militants on a bus on May 14 renewed tensions between the two countries.

She said that the military hardliners had overthrown the PPP government in 1996 and rigged the elections that followed. When Nawaz Sharif became unpopular, they switched support to Musharraf to continue myopic policies which culminated in the Afghan war and now threatened an India-Pakistan war.

Ms Bhutto said that in view of the growing unpopularity of General Musharraf, there was an attempt to form a King’s Party to keep out the PPP which was the popular choice.

Former premier called upon all Pakistanis to “unite and defeat the attempt to prolong the clique which brought disgrace, economic hardship and threat of war to the country”.

“The PPP is concerned that the continuation of the Musharraf regime could lead to repeated tensions on the India-Pakistan border, rise of domestic violence, violation of fundamental human rights and threats to the rule of law as well as the economic well-being of the people”.

Ms Bhutto said given the importance of geo-strategic importance of Islamabad, it was essential for peace and prosperity of the Pakistani people that a full transfer of power took place to the people through transparent elections.

She said that transparent elections needed implementation of electoral reforms such as the inclusion of members of the HRCP in the conduct of those elections.

Suu Kyi felicitated: Former prime minister and chairperson of the Pakistan People‘s Party Benazir Bhutto has offered her “warmest felicitations” to the leader of Myanmar National League for Democracy Aung San Suu Kyi on her release from house arrest.

“This is a great moment in the life of the people of Myanmar for whom your leadership symbolizes freedom and democracy. I hope that the release also signifies the first step by the Myanmar regime to build confidence with the opposition”.

In a letter to San Suu Kyi the former premier said, “As an Asian leader who knows exile and imprisonment for her party, her family and herself, hearing of your release gladdened my heart”.

I know the happiness that comes after an ordeal and empathize with the ordeal suffered, the letter said.