Islamabad: Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan today urged all Pakistani political parties to come together and frame an "exit policy" to pressure President Pervez Musharraf to step down.

The chief of the Tehrik-i-Insaaf party said free and fair elections could not be held in the country in the prevailing circumstances. The security forces, which are meant to protect the people, have themselves become the target of terrorism, he said.

The All Parties Democratic Movement will soon convene a meeting to devise an "exit policy" for Musharraf to step down and a strategy aimed at giving "safe passage" once he quits his post, Khan told a news conference here.

"This is not the right time for holding elections in the country. It is time for political reconciliation," said Khan, whose party has decided not to contest the polls.
 
Khan also said the policies pursued by Musharraf to fight terrorism are responsible for the worsening law and order situation in Pakistan. He blamed former prime minister Shaukat Aziz for "flawed" trade policies.

Musharraf yesterday dismissed the Tehrik-i-Insaaf as a "one-seater" party, referring to the fact that Khan was its only member of the previous parliament. Appearing on a programme on state-run PTV, Musharraf said Khan would not even be able to mobilise a large number of people for a public meeting.

Khan should contest the polls and win enough seats in parliament to carry out the changes he wanted, Musharraf had said.

Source : PTI