Tehreek-e-Istiqlal Chief Rehmat Khan Wardag on Saturday predicted fifth martial law in the country to what he said would be due to the unnecessary criticism of the democratic government by the opposition. Speaking at a news conference, he urged Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Chief Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan to avoid 'unnecessary' criticism of democratic government for the sake of strengthening democratic system.
He was of the view that the PPP-led coalition government should be given a chance to complete its five-year term. He warned that separatist movements could trigger in small provinces-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Sindh, if the civilian government was overthrown this time by the military, adding that people had voted PPP to power, which should be respected.
Wardag opined that the country was confronting multiple challenges and it would not be able to afford another mistake on the part of the politicians at this critical juncture. Referring to energy crisis, he flayed the government for not paying heed to construction of dams to overcome energy shortage in the country. The crisis could be averted if adequate water reservoirs were constructed, he added.
He also condemned US ambassador Cameron Munter statement regarding Pak-Iran gas pipeline project, adding that instead of taking foreign dictation, the government should prefer availability of gas and electricity on cheaper rates. Wardag also strongly condemned the Nato helicopters attack on Pakistan security forces check-posts in Mohmand Agency and also called upon the government to revisit its terms of engagements with US in war against terrorism.
He said that 35,000 people have been killed so far in the war on terror. "Time has come to say goodbye to the US war on terror," he said, adding that it was unfortunate that innocent people were being killed in drone attacks in tribal areas. He also urged Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry to take suo moto notice of US drone attacks and Nato incursions inside Pakistan, which he said were being carried out in violation of international law.