KARACHI, July 24: All mainstream political parties have rejected the proposed constitutional package and the Political Parties Order 2002 by terming it detrimental to the national solidarity.

“These amendments will debar the smaller provinces from the political process and make the will of people subservient to the army for all times to come. Therefore this is high time for all parties to adopt a common stand and to formulate a joint strategy to meet this challenge.”

This consensus emerges from the speeches delivered by leaders of 12 political parties at a seminar organised by Awami National Party Sindh on Wednesday at a local hotel on “Proposed Constitutional Package and Political Parties Order 2002”.

Presided over by its provincial President Qamoos Gul Khattak where ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Khan was the chief guest the seminar observed that until the army’s interference in politics was not checked, the country could not be on the road to progress nor there would be democracy.

At the seminar, however, representative of newly formed Sindh Democratic Alliance leader Al-haj Shamimuddin differed from the consensus saying that barring a few reservations SDA approved the package and PPO as one time or the other similar demands were being raised by all parties including PPP and PML.

Asfandyar Wali Khan, who was given standing ovation when he rose to speak warned the rulers of the consequences of keeping out smaller provinces from the political process. He said by blocking all roads of their participation in politics they would be forced to adopt unconstitutional and undemocratic methods and its all responsibility would be on Gen Pervez Musharraf.

He said nuclear power alone could not keep the provinces united had it been so the Soviet Union would not had disintegrated.

“The states could only be kept united through harmony among small units and oppressed classes as without a sense of participation among provinces the country could not remain united.”

Mutahidda Qaumi Movement Coordination Committee deputy convener Dr Farooq Sattar, who was welcomed by profuse clapping when he rose to speak reiterated his party’s stand that 1973’s constitution could not be able to deliver and expressed the need for a new constitution on the basis of 1940’s resolution in which provinces have full autonomy over their resources and powers.

He said on the basis of last 55 years’ experience it had proved that a strong Centre and strong federation could not go together with a strong Pakistan. The federation could only be made strong after provinces are made strong, he added .

Balochistan National Movement leader Mir Hasil Bizenjo said that the National Security Council was a dream of the army to provide constitutional cover to its role in politics.

However, he said, let them bring whatever amendments they want, political parties would no leave the field open and contest elections as the referendum had proved that at the polling booth people could not be forced to attain the results.

PPP Deputy Secretary General Raza Rabbani said that instead removing sense of deprivation of smaller provinces, through the devolution plan the provincial governments and provincial assemblies had been made redundant. The creation of 105 small administrative units was against the spirit of the federation, he said and added that the proposed constitutional package was the part of the same scheme and a fatal blow to the basics of the constitution, federation and its parliamentary system.

Jamaat-i-Islami deputy chief Prof Ghafoor Ahmad recalling the history of last 55 years said if a political government makes mistakes it pays the price by its dismissal but if the army rulers make mistake, not only people and politicians suffer but the country also has to pay the price.

Giving the example of last three army rulers, who were forced by the people to relinquish power in disgrace he said this was high time the army should make assessment of the situation in the country and go back to the barracks to perform its duty of defending the borders of the country.

National Workers’ Party leader Yusuf Musti Khan recalled that since 1947 till today the axis of struggle of political parties has been for constitution and democratic rule in the country.

He asked the political parties not only to reject the package as an individual could not be given the right to amend the constitution. Muttahida Ulema Forum chief Mufti Ferozuddin said that if Pervez Musharraf had any interest in politics as appears from his action he should fulfil this ambition after taking off his uniform.

Pakistan Democratic Party leader Basharat Mirza said that had a dictator been impeached for violating the constitution, we were not facing this situation.

Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader Manoon Hussain said when the Supreme Court itself did not have the right to amend the constitution how it could grant this right to Gen Pervez Musharraf.

Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party leader Ali Hasan Chandio said in the past when One Unit scheme was imposed, the country lost its half part and again attempts were being made to usurp the rights of smaller provinces which would further weaken the country. We don’t want any harm to Pakistan but for that all nationalities would have to grant equal rights.

ANP leader Qamoos Gul Khattak in his opening remarks said that the political crisis had turned into a constitutional crisis.

The seminar was conducted by Farooq Bangash.