ISLAMABAD, May 28: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has said that ‘hidden forces’ are out to impose martial law and any movement against the government may snuff out democracy.

Talking to representatives of the Punjab and NWFP chapters of the People’s Lawyers Forum (PLF) here on Wednesday, Mr Zardari said the PPP wanted not only to reinstate the deposed judges but also to introduce constitutional reforms to ensure that all state institutions worked in accordance with their roles defined in the Constitution.

A PLF member from Lahore, Khurram Khosa, told Dawn: “We told Mr Zardari that the PLF will not become a part of any long march or movement that can lead to the wrapping up of democracy.”

He quoted the party co-chairman as saying that “some hidden forces” wanted to see another martial law and they were out to “create such circumstances” and collect material as could be used against the PPP government. He said such forces were also active during the time of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

Mr Khosa said the PLF had assured Mr Zardari that it would support the proposed constitutional package and stand behind the party in its endeavour to reform institutions.

He said the co-chairman had assured them that the party would provide the draft of the proposed constitution amendment bill on Saturday, when the PLF would hold a lawyers’ convention in Lahore.

In reply to a question, Mr Khosa said the PPP leader was of the view that the Murree Declaration had been prepared in the light of the Charter of Democracy.

According to a press release, Mr Zardari said PPP had made a commitment with the people that it would work to change the system and it was moving in that direction with dedication.

He said the constitutional package was aimed at restoring the supremacy of parliament and introducing a system where the executive was answerable to the people through their elected representatives. He stressed that it was the right time for such a package to be introduced and such a chance might never come again.

Other members of the delegation said a constitutional reform package was required to settle such issues once and for all.

Law Minister Farooq Naek and PPP secretary-general Jehangir Badar also attended the meeting.

WB DELEGATION: Talking to a delegation of the World Bank, Mr Zardari said PPP would continue to work with multilateral institutions to introduce economic reforms, but all such steps had to be people-friendly.

He urged WB officials to consider increasing funding for Pakistan for investment in projects like canal lining and small dams.

The delegation was led by WB vice-president Praful C. Patel.