Musharraf's restoration of democracy claim disputed: 'PML-N should have named NWFP as Pakhtoonistan'

In a paradigm change in its policy, Pakistan Muslim League (N) on Friday admitted that it had made a mistake by not naming NWFP as Pakhtoonistan, and strongly backed changing the name of the province.
PML, he said during the debate on the President's address to the Parliament's joint sitting, should have named the province Pakhtoonistan as demanded by Awami National Party and other like-minded parties. "Why not NWFP be named Pakhtoonistan, if other provinces' names are after the nationalities' identity such as for Punjabis, Punjab, for Sindhis Sindh and for Balochis Balochistan," MNA Khawaja Asif said.
The PML made a mistake when it promised to its ally ANP to change name of NWFP, but failed to do so.
He contended that this would have further promoted harmony among the federating units.
"If provincial harmony is to be promoted, the smaller provinces' genuine demands be met," Asif argued.
He warned the government against running Pakistan as a limited company which, he added, was benefiting a certain group of individuals.
Asif said he believed that more powers given to the provinces, the stronger would be the Federation. "However, actions like not allowing Pakistan Oppressed Nations Movement last month to hold a national seminar on promotion of provincial harmony at Parliament Lodges would go against the Federation".
Disputing President Musharraf's claim that all promises, like restoration of democracy, good governance, harmony among provinces and improved economy had been fulfilled, he said that instead the general had introduced institutionalised patronage system to prolong his rule.
Likewise, he added, the nuclear programme had been endangered, abject poverty and corruption were rampant, smaller provinces were unhappy with the Centre. "Was it the example of good governance?"
Citing recent terrorist attacks in Quetta and elsewhere, he said that law enforcement agencies were after the politicians instead of discharging their duties. He said Musharraf was putting vital national interest at stake just to please his foreign masters.
He deplored the fact that a non-elected individual after all managed to address the elected representatives after more than one year of the elections.
"It is correct," he conceded, "that PML was not able to hold across-the-board accountability and PPP also did the same, but what the present regime is doing is sheer political victimisation."
He said: "Has any military man or Judge been apprehended by the military's 'political party'? Are only the politicians corrupt in this country? Those who toe the rulers' line are spared."