By IRNA
New Delhi : Pakistan army does not want to return to the barracks and leave the political process out of its control, posing the gravest challenge to the democracy, a top Pakistani Communist leader said in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu state Tuesday.
“The army institutions like ‘Fauji Foundation’ and ‘Army Welfare Fund’ have over 50 per cent of share in our economic activity. More than half of Pakistan’s industry, imports, exports, finance capital and real estate are controlled by this bureaucratic capital,” Imadullah Qazi, General Secretary of Pakistan Communist Party, said, PTI reported here.
Qazi, who is in India to attend the 19th CPI(M) party Congress said due to such a situation, where it gains tremendously, “the Army does not want to return to their barracks and leave the political process.
“This is the gravest challenge we face. Our political and democratic system, therefore, faces an army which is not only a defence force, but a capitalist institution and is also (for) a political status quo,” Qazi said.
Welcoming recent announcements of steps to restore democracy by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani, he said, “If he takes these measures (like curbing terrorism and asking army officials to vacate civilian posts) and implement them, democratic institutions will be strengthened.”
To questions on Indo-Pak relations, Qazi strongly favoured strengthening of people-to-people ties and said that while talks on contentious issues like Kashmir should continue, expeditious steps should be taken to enhance trade, cultural and other relations.