“Provincial autonomy under 1973 Constitution is not enough”

Q. Your past alliances with the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz and the Pakistan Peoples Party did not work. Who will be your possible allies in the Frontier province after the election?

A. It depends on the election results and the post-election scenario. Now the issues have changed. We cannot enter in an alliance with any political party, keeping in mind our top priorities and objectives.

Q. If elected, what will be the priority areas of your government?

A. The Awami National Party’s (ANP) priority is to stop the continuing war on Pashtun soil and achieve peace. The second step would be for national reconciliation in which a durable understanding could be struck to strengthen institutions. We want peace because the war has already weakened the Pukhtuns and taken a big toll on their lives. The most dangerous aspect of this war is that the Pashtuns are being represented to the world as terrorists, extremists and fundamentalists. We are peace-loving people and want tranquility in this region.

Q. Do you intend to reverse the changes made in the 1973 Constitution by General (retd) Pervez Musharraf?

A. The 1973 Constitution has been so massively amended that it has lost its original shape. It needs a complete overhaul and a major operation.

Q. How do you propose to protect the judiciary against executive excesses? And how would you tackle the issue of sacked judges and of those who have taken oath under the Provisional Constitution Order?

A. There is a dire need for separation of powers. The powers and functions of the executive and judiciary should be clearly defined. There should be no meddling by one institution in the affairs of another.

Q. The troika arrangement of the 1990s appears set to stage a comeback. Will it have a salutary effect on the stability of the new government?

A. An elected government should rule the country. There is a need for courage and determination. If the elected prime minister feels that obstacles are being created for him, he should resign in protest and then see how much honour will be given to him by the people of the country.

Q. What remedies do you have to check the rising tide of militancy in Pakistan?

A. During the Afghan war, when our predecessors predicted that the crisis in Afghanistan would knock on our doors, nobody was ready to hear them out. And now, their predictions have come true. Long-term and short-term measures are needed for a solution. For a complete eradication of militancy we have to educate the people. Development of the areas where militancy breeds is vital. We should also give jobs to the people. For a short-term solution we should sit across the table to find out an amicable solution. I think militancy is a political issue. It needs a negotiated settlement and great courage. It cannot be resolved on the battlefield.

Q. Some observers say that the military acted when the mess created by the politicians had become too big to be ignored…

A. We accept that there were weaknesses in the politicians but they alone cannot be blamed. The politicians, bureaucracy and military are equally responsible for creating the mess.

Q. Provincial autonomy as promised in the 1973 Constitution has not been forthcoming. How do you see the issue?

A. ANP leadership has been advocating for provincial autonomy since the creation of Pakistan. We should have rights over our own resources and the other provinces should enjoy the same rights. Pakistan is not the Punjab and the Punjab is not Pakistan. We know that ‘Big Brother’ should have the lion’s share but he must refrain from devouring all the vitals at the cost of the small provinces. If this practice continues we invite more disorder. Provincial autonomy under the 1973 Constitution is not enough. It should be reopened.

Q. Are you satisfied with the state of the economy? What are your plans to handle the rising inflation?

A. The toughest task for the upcoming government will be how to handle the economic problems. The soaring prices of essential commodities have already broken the backbone of the people. We are not satisfied with the state of the economy. The government claims it is in good shape but the masses do not feel that way. An economy is strong when the benefits reach the people. There is a drastic difference between what is said by the managers of the economy and what its real shape is.

Q. How do you propose to check growing intervention by the US and other Western powers in Pakistan’s internal affairs?

A. We gave the US the opportunity to meddle in our affairs. The day we joined CENTO [Central Treaty Organisation], the American-led military alliance, we were opened to American interference.