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Pak oppn demands interim govt, polls

The ARD, which recently issued a chargesheet against the military regime, has also demanded lifting of a ban on political activities, restoration of the 1973 constitution and creation of an "impartial" Election Commission to hold the elections, according to Pakistani media reports.

The Jung daily quoted a leader of the ARD partner, Pakistan People's Party, as saying that foreign exchange reserves had dipped enormously, the GDP growth rate declined substantially and trade deficit gone up to $1.14 billion.

Demanding lifting of a ban on political activities and restoration of the 1973 constitution, PPP leader Munir Ahmed Khan said the ARD had also sought formation of an interim national government to hold general elections within 90 days under an "impartial" Election Commission.

He said the Musharraf regime was trying to prolong its rule "against the wishes of the masses" and quoted a United States report as saying that corruption and inefficiency "remained acute in all departments of Pakistan.

"The overall credibility of judiciary remained low. The government's policies on human rights remained poor. The government committed numerous serious human rights violations," the PPP leader said.

The Karachi Stock Exchange's six-month deficit stood at over Rs 8 billion, the chargesheet said, adding that the Pakistan State Bank was forced to draw $1.5 billion from the open market.

According to the chargesheet, foreign investment had dropped substantially from last year's $276.6 million to just $74.7 million and the Musharraf regime had miserably failed to achieve the targets set for production of various crops.

PTI

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