Musharraf demands more provinces in country

KARACHI: Former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf has put his weight behind the demands for making more provinces in the country while adding that he stood with the Muhajirs and other ethnic groups that felt neglected.

Addressing a public meeting organised by his All Pakistan Muslim League and allies on Sunday, Musharraf said that the country's sovereignty was in danger as the Indian prime minister was threatening the army. "We need to pull the ship [Pakistan] out of this whirlpool and have to get rid of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan People's Party by defeating them in the upcoming election."

He said that there was a political vacuum in Punjab that needed to be filled and likewise in Karachi. He said that Muhajirs should not think of themselves as helpless and alone because he supported their struggle for rights.

He said that the infrastructure in the city was nearly destroyed and there was no water and power. He said that almost everything was in need to be fixed. He added that the immigrant Bengalis and Biharis living in the country should be issued CNICs.

He criticised the PML-N government saying that the country was put under loads of loan and the investment on development was nowhere to be seen. He said the rulers bypassed the merit and awarded their blue-eyed people.

"We have been isolated in the world," he commented, saying that in these circumstances, the first priority was to strengthen the country's defence and bring prosperity to the nation. "We can save the country like we did in 1999."

He said the APML's Pakistan Awami Ittehad will secure a considerable mandate in Sindh and Punjab and will defeat the PML-N, PPP and likes in general election 2018.