KARACHI, 13 July — A group of regional political parties, calling itself as the Pakistan Oppressed Nations Movement, (PONM), has demanded an end to the military rule, and restoration of democracy in the country, saying the unitary form of government which the military has imposed, may prove harmful for the nation.
These parties who met in the Balochistan capital of Quetta yesterday, suggested that the question of autonomy to provinces be settled afresh in line with the 1940 Resolution of the Indian Muslim League conference at Lahore.
That resolution had called for a union of autonomous regions with only three subjects of defense, currency, and foreign affairs, going to the center. The rest of the subjects will be in control of the provinces or autonomous regions.
Provincial autonomy has been a hot issue in Pakistan. Most of the political parties now agree that it should be redefined. They think that the 1973 constitution, which has been in vogue despite alterations by the military regime of Gen. Zia-ul Haq, must take a fresh look at the questions.
Powers should be delegated to the federating units, and the central government should keep minimum of subjects with it.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, one of the key leaders of the organization, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, said that PONAM agreed that parties, advocating autonomy for provinces,” want to live in Pakistan, but as second class citizens.” Pakistan was a multinational state where army had no scope for a direct rule.
Achakzai suggested that the military should transfer power to the supreme court judges who had refused to take oath under the provisional constitution, introduced by the military establishment, and quit.
