LAHORE, April 8: Senator Prof Ghafoor Ahmad fears that the country may plunge into deep crisis if differences between Gen Musharraf and political parties on important issues persist.

Speaking at a press conference here on Tuesday, he warned the army authorities that distance between them and the masses was gradually increasing, while the situation was getting worse as country’s foreign policy had absolutely failed.

“The country is facing threats at external fronts and anarchy and chaos at internal fronts, making the situation extremely grim,” said Prof Ghafoor, who is also naib amir of the Jamaat-i-Islami.

He said the key to internal problems was in the hands of the general and he should, in the best national interest, give up insistence (on his stance) on LFO.

“He should accept that only parliament is authorized to amend the basic law according to the procedure prescribed in the Constitution itself and should not insist on keeping both the presidency and the charge of chief of army staff simultaneously in his person,” he added.

If he did not do so, there would be no hope of any improvement in the situation in the near future, he warned.

Asked if he meant that the government should restart dialogue on the LFO, he replied in the affirmative but hastened to add that agenda of talks should be decided first to make the process meaningful.

While those representing the government in the negotiations should be authorized to strike any deal instead of seeking guidance from the “higher authorities”, he emphasized.

Asked if it implied that he wanted direct talks between the MMA and Gen Musharraf, he said if not the general, then the person representing him should be fully authorized.

“Most of the terms on the LFO issue had been settled during talks with the earlier team but they have now started to say that nothing had been agreed (during the talks).”

Claiming the MMA win in the NWFP and Balochistan was unexpected for Gen Musharraf and had become a cause for the US annoyance (with him), Prof Ghafoor feared that an attempt (by the federal government) would be made to fail these governments.

He also apprehended imposition of governor’s rule in both the provinces as after strengthening its control in Iraq, the US would attend to complete its agenda and demand the Pakistan government crush religious elements.

“Washington will also try to take into its control Islamabad’s nuclear assets on the plea that religious fanatics might attain the lethal weapons. It will also be asked to accept Indian hegemony in the region and forgetting (held) Kashmir.”

Involvement of army in politics in this critical situation would mean widening the gulf between this most powerful, organized and privileged institution and the masses, he said.

But the authorities should keep in mind that army alone could not fight a successful war as it needed popular support for the purpose, he concluded.