Blaming Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf for yet another "war-like situation" with India, former Premier Benazir Bhutto has called for a political change in the country to restore peace in the region. In a statement issued by her Pakistan People's Party (PPP)here, Benazir said tensions at the Indo-Pak borders threatened to get degenerated into a war for the third time since Musharraf became army chief in 1999.

"Latest tensions on the border and the threat of a potentially nuclear war emphasised the need for a political change in Pakistan so that our people can once again walk with pride on the road to progress and peace," she said.

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The statement was issued before New Delhi on Saturday asked Pakistan to withdraw its High Commissioner to India.

Benazir said her party was concerned that continuation of the Musharraf regime could lead to repeated tensions on the border, rise of domestic violence, violation of fundamental human rights and threats to the rule of law as well as the economic well being of the people.

She alleged that the government was trying to "duck" responsibility by pretending that "rogue elements" were trying to destabilise the Musharraf regime.
As Musharraf had powers over the military and intelligence, institutions follow the policies of the government and officers did what they are tasked to do, she added.

Benazir said when the state power was divided between the President and the Prime Minister, the "rogue" elements came to the fore because "the Prime Minister was helpless to take action against those violating state policy".

She also called for full transfer of power through transparent elections for peace and prosperity of the people.

Benazir, who is on a self exile in Dubai, said military hardliners had overthrown the PPP government in 1996 and rigged the elections that followed.

"When former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif became unpopular, they switched support to Musharraf to continue myopic policies which culminated in the Afghan war and now threatened an Indo-Pak war," she said.

"It was unfortunate that since the overthrow of the PPP government in 1996, cross border pursuit, air space violation and threats of war had taken place."
It was important to "put in place the right policies which bring peace and honour to a country", Benazir added.
In a message to "all the Pakistanis" including students, intellectuals, traders, farmers, military, judiciary, women, minorities, youth, government employees and labourers, she urged them to "unite and defeat the attempt to prolong the clique which brought disgrace, economic hardship and threat of war to the country." Bureau Report