LAHORE, Aug 4: Jamaat-i-Islami Naib Amir Asadullah Bhutto has urged Gen Pervez Musharraf to do away with his uniform on Aug 14 to enhance moments of joy for people on the Independence Day.

He also demanded removal of Ishratul Ibad from the Sindh governor office and his replacement by someone who enjoyed confidence of all parties.

Speaking at a press conference here on Wednesday, Mr Bhutto, who is also an MMA MNA from Sindh, warned Gen Musharraf that he would become a non-entity when Shaukat Aziz assumed charge as the prime minister. The US would start dealing with Aziz directly, who was more familiar to them, he added.

Terming the nomination of Aziz as prime minister before by-elections a pre-poll rigging bid, he argued that it would influence voters' thinking and demoralize the opposing candidate.

Referring to discontinuation of electioneering by Shaukat Aziz after the attempt on his life, he said a candidate who was not ready to go to his voters even before polls, could not be expected to meet them after his election.

Alleging that the government was arresting MMA and ARD workers in Attock and Tharparkar from where Aziz was contesting by-polls, he demanded that the Election Commission should ensure fair polls by providing a peaceful atmosphere in both the constituencies.

He alleged that the army ruler had depicted his dictatorial mindset and breached the privilege of 342 members of the National Assembly by showing no-confidence in the performance of the house.

The MNA said the house was answerable to the masses and not to the uniformed ruler, who had no right to criticize it. Referring to past record of the Sindh governor, Bhutto said that law and order situation in the province, particularly in the Karachi city, could not improve as long as a person with a long list of criminal cases against him was at the helm of affairs.

He also opposed the posting of an MQM MPA as the Sind home minister. Answering a question, he said Gen Musharraf was not serious in constructing Kalabagh Dam and was using the issue only to prolong his rule. He said the issue was first raised to pacify Punjabis when the deposed prime minister was in jail in the year 2000.

It was again highlighted at the time of presidential referendum in 2002 and yet again when the opposition was putting full pressure on the army ruler in the National Assembly last year.

He alleged that Gen Musharraf was intentionally maintaining ambiguity on the issue as to which dam - Kalabagh or Bhasha - would be constructed. It was meant to keep people engaged in it so that they would ignore other important matters. He said the Greater Thal Canal issue should be taken to the Council of Common Interests for the sake of provincial harmony.