Unrest threatens integrity: Bhutto
Published: Wednesday, 18 January, 2006, 11:42 AM Doha Time
NEW YORK: Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto has said unrest in
Sindh, Baluchistan and the North West Province (NWFP) threatens the
unity and integrity of Pakistan and held military rule and General
Pervez Musharraf responsible for the situation.
Addressing a gathering of her Pakistan People's Party (PPP) workers
at a local hotel here, she observed: "The situation in provinces
demand political solutions; unfortunately military interventions
undermine unity and integrity of our country."
Bhutto who had previously stated at a press conference that she would
return to Pakistan soon to contest Senate elections, noted there was
unrest in tribal areas and Baluchistan and the announcement of
construction of the Kalabagh dam had created unrest in Sindh.
"Three of our provinces are in turmoil and people of Punjab are
concerned about the situation in these three provinces. We know
Pakistan was created on democratic principles and only democratic
principles can keep our nation together," she asserted.
Reflecting on Washington's support for Gen Musharraf, the self-exiled
PPP leader observed: "But of course, Washington supports him because
he does what Washington wants him to do. President Bush is happy with
him."
However, she regretted that Gen Musharraf does not listen to the people
of Pakistan.
She said that "countries are kept together by political institutions
and by the constitution and the rule of law" and marginalising the
larger political parties undermined the unity and integrity of
Pakistan.
She criticised the inability of the military government to wipe out
militancy in the tribal areas which she said had created a vacuum
leading to infusion of outside forces. - Internews
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