ISLAMABAD, March 21: Pakistan Tehrik Insaf chairman Imran Khan has termed the military action in the tribal areas "unacceptable" and demanded an immediate ceasefire.

He blamed General Musharraf for what he said "playing with the country's integrity." He said the military must go back to the barracks before it was too late.

In a statement released to the press on Sunday, the PTI chief said that Gen Musharraf's 'no choice doctrine' had put the country in great danger, for, time and again his unilateral decisions of total capitulation had proved that he was incapable of withstanding pressure.

He said that powers solely vested in a single individual were always dangerous because only credible institutions provided the cushion to withstand pressures. "Had the decision-making been institutionalized in Pakistan," Mr Khan asserted, "we would have been less vulnerable to foreign dictation."

Imran Khan said that a leadership that was incapable of taking pressure was unfit to rule and should quit power. The PTI chief blamed General Musharraf and the establishment for "manufacturing a corrupt leadership" and imposing it on the people just to keep unchecked power.

He said the killing of innocent citizens in the tribal areas was a reckless act on the part of the federation. He said the repercussions of the military action in the tribal areas would be felt for a long time to come.

He accused Gen Musharraf of allowing foreign interest "to ruin our unity, internal peace and stability." By launching the army operation against its own citizens Pakistan's image of a "front-line mercenary state" had been strengthened, he concluded.