(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-12-14 13:55

ISLAMABAD - Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto said Thursday that the "armed forces have been over-engaged" in parts of the country.

Pakistan's former prime minister Benazir Bhutto addresses a news conference in Karachi December 13, 2007. [Agencies]

The military is engaged in operations against the militants and insurgents in the tribal regions, the Swat valley in northwest and southwestern Balochistan, Bhutto said at a news conference at her residence in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi.

"The armed forces were over-engaged. The armed forces have been made controversial," said Bhutto, also chairperson of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP).

Her comments came a day after militants ambushed a military convoy in the North Waziristan tribal region, killing at least 10 soldiers and injuring 20 others.

Bhutto demanded the government to announce general amnesty in Balochistan and release all political prisoners in the province.

She said her party was concerned that leaders of the biggest province were detained. She alleged that a plan had been prepared to rig the upcoming parliamentary elections and said government resources were being used to help her rival candidates.

Pakistan has deployed around 80,000 troops along its border with Afghanistan to check illegal cross-border movement and also to curb the militants in the troubled Waziristan tribal region.

Thousands of troops have also been deployed in the Swat valley in the North West Frontier Province to deal with the militants there.

The deployment of troops in the tribal regions has been a controversial matter in Pakistan and religious parties are also opposing the army's operations.