HARIPUR, May 20: President Gen Pervez Musharaff is incapable of handling the present crisis on the borders and he must quit to pave the way for an interim setup, so that it tackles the situation effectively.

This was stated by JI provincial leader Sirajul Haq while addressing a press conference here on Sunday evening.

“Of course, he is shaky and confused after fake referendum and his stay could harm the very existence of the country,” he said.

However, he warned India to stay ready for a matching response if its forces dared to impose war on Pakistan, adding that irrespective of political differences his party would stand united with all the patriotic forces in the country to answer any aggression.

Flanked by JI local leaders, Sirajul Haq said that in view of the tense situation on the borders, the country needed a civilian government as the military has only one duty — to defend the frontiers.

Asked whether the JI’s demand for installation of an interim setup held any justification when the India-Pakistan forces stood eyeball to eyeball, he replied in an emphatic ‘yes’.

He said because of pursuing pro-US policies, the country now faced internal and external threats, and nobody other than a civilian government could steer the country out of the present quagmire.

He also lashed out at the government for allowing the US forces to launch operation in certain Pakistani areas along the Durand Line.

He said due to the continuing operation in the Fata, the US forces had made the people of almost entire area hostage as over 25 barriers had been erected to subject them to humiliating body search.

He termed a recent hike in the prices of POL and gas “unbearable” for the public, who were already confronted with enormous difficulties.