NAWABSHAH, May 24: Tehrik-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan has severely criticised President Gen Pervez Musharraf for what he terms extra-judicial killings in Waziristan and launching army operations in Balochistan without approval of parliament.

Talking to newsmen at the local press club on Wednesday, Imran Khan said innocent people were being killed in army operations in Balochistan and Waziristan, though Gen Musharraf had no legal or constitutional sanction to carry out such operations.

He said Pakistan was passing through a crucial phase and one-man rule is posing a serious risk to the federation and national economy.

Imran Khan said the charter of democracy signed by Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif was a good step, but it should be implemented.

He also said that many points included in the charter were in his party’s manifesto.

According to the Transparency International ranking, Pakistan was the fifth corrupt country in the world. He attributed the ranking to lawlessness, poverty, unemployment and the undemocratic system.

He said the people of Sindh were crying for water, but they could not be provided justice as tailored democracy had been established in Sindh by manipulation.

Criticising the foreign policy, he alleged that the army was carrying out operation in Waziristan to appease the United States.

He also alleged that the national institutions were being destroyed by appointing corrupt people on key posts.

The Tehrik-i-Insaf chief rejected the claim of the prime minister that poverty had been reduced. The poor had become poorer and the rich richer, he said.

He said people had lost hope in judiciary and claimed that the system was about to collapse.

He said that it was time for all opposition parties to be practical and take to roads with public support as Gen Musharraf would not leave power voluntarily.

He said the Tehrik-i-Insaf had decided to come out against Gen Musharraf in September 2006.

In reply to a question, he said the Election Commission was not independent as the polls held earlier had been rigged and no party would participate in the general elections 2007 under this commission.

He stressed the need for freeing the National Accountability Bureau, Election Commission, judiciary and police from political influence.