ISLAMABAD Dec 26: Immediate changes should be made in the foreign policy and the country be put back on democratic tracks so that the armed forces could concentrate on the volatile border, the chairman, Foreign Affairs Committee of the Pakistan Muslim League (Like-Minded), Mian Abdul Waheed, said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr Waheed said his party had always been demanding early restoration of democracy. Only a civilian government is competent and capable to face political challenges, he added.

He said the failure of the Afghan policy was an eye-opener, therefore, a realistic approach should be adopted in all national issues, including Kashmir.

He said elected political representatives and the Foreign Office always differed on the Afghan policy.

Politicians supported a broad-based government in Afghanistan whereas the Foreign Office continued with its old policy, he added.

He said the Foreign Office should change its policies on important national issues and utilize international diplomatic channels, including UK, US and China, to defuse tension between Pakistan and India.

Earlier, Mian Waheed chaired a meeting of the committee, which was attended by Gohar Ayub Khan, Jam Mohammad Yusuf, Raja Aurangzeb, Neelofar Bakhtiar, Col. Zahid Ali Khan, Yahya Munawar and Mrs Farrukh Khan.

Mr Waheed said: “In our view, war will benefit neither of the two countries, as both possessed nuclear weapons. It will be better to initiate dialogue on all contentious issues.”

He asked the leaders of both countries to be flexible in their attitudes to bring stability in the region.

He said in case of war, the Pakistani people will stand united and defend the country from all external dangers.

He opposed the idea of establishing a national government. He said such a government would not be answerable to anyone and only an elected parliament was in the best interests of the country.