20000207

Country passing

through critical

phase: Asfandyar

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: The country is passing through a critical phase as the realities on October 12 were different than the ground realities existing today, Asfandyar Wali, president of the National Awami Party, said on Sunday. He was addressing members of the Karachi Press Club at 'Meet the Press programme.'

The ANP chief said people were told that corruption would be controlled, looted money would be recovered and foreign debts would be retired. There was an impression that the army would put every thing in order and the life afterwards would be comfortable.

After about four months the popularity graph of the government has started going down, he added. "Where is the across-the-board accountability? Where is the end to corruption? Where is merit and a judicious judicial system?"

He said the nation should return to the parliamentary form of government and learn from its mistakes. The longer the army stays, the higher are the risks of delaying the process of normalisation of general condition of the people.

"A lame duck democracy is better than an army government," Wali said.

He said the present government was not capable of delivering the goods. "I do not see any initiation of the process of devolution of power. I believe in complete provincial autonomy and maintaining a strong federation and oppose the idea of confederal system. Let there be no misunderstanding on this issue."

He said there is no frustration at the moment, but a time would come when people would start raising slogan Ñ Jamhoriat Bachao, Musharraf Hatao" (save democracy remove Musharraf) Ñ if their hopes and aspirations are misinterpreted.

He said people should distinguish between the religious groups and the militant groups and make their own decisions when it comes to casting votes and electing their representatives.

He said Pakistan and India should settle their disputes through dialogues. "Armed conflict is no solution to our problems," he added.

To a question he said there would be no harm whether President Clinton visited Pakistan or stayed away. "However, it is matter of ego. Some egos would be hurt, I believe."