Blocking army interventions: government urged to form National Truth, Reconciliation Commission

President of his own faction of PML-Q (Like Minded) Senator Salim Saifullah Khan, on Wednesday urged the government to form a National Truth and Reconciliation Commission to block the way of army interventions and bring all those culprits to justice who violated the constitution.
Addressing a press conference, he said that the government should form a National Truth and Reconciliation Commission giving it the mandate to probe the reasons of all the military interventions from 1958 to 1999. He added that the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission should hold responsible all the military dictators including General Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Zia-ul-Haq and General Musharraf.
He also urged the government to shun confrontational politics, as any misadventure could cause conflict among the national institutions, which could further destabilise the democratic process. He further said that the commission should also fix responsibility on all those politicians, judges and generals who had collaborated with those dictators. However, he made it clear that holding only General Musharraf responsible was not just and rather it would be victimisation.
Salim Saifullah alleged that the popularity graph of the ruling elite was continually declining and if this trend continues, this could pose a serious threat to the democratic system. He urged the rulers not to try and remain in power through hook or crook, as these tactics would not work. Rather, he said, the government should serve the people. He said the ruling party would be responsible, if the democratic process is derailed.
He said the martial laws are always imposed against unpopular and corrupt governments and if the rulers serve the masses, no martial law could be imposed. The armed forces are focusing on professional matters and apparently have no intentions to intervene into the democratic process. However, if any such situation emerges, we would take our own decision, Saifullah said.
"I think the rulers are not bothered about the volatile situation of the country however, they should behave like mature politicians", he added. He also expressed grave concern over the report of Transparency International and rising corruption in Pakistan.
"Unfortunately, the public welfare is not on the agenda of the ruling clique rather they are focusing on the welfare of their own families and businesses. There have been water, atta, sugar and price hike issues, which are badly affecting the middle and poor classes, however, the rulers are focusing on how to settle personal scores," he deplored.
Asked whether any step taken by the prime minister to get rid of the NRO-affected ministers would work, Salim Saifullah said it would be welcomed, however, mere lip service would not serve the purpose and the government should stop shifting responsibilities. When asked to comment on Balochistan Package, he said the government had not taken his party into confidence over the package despite the fact that his group had majority in Balochistan Assembly.