KARACHI, Dec 31: The Pakistan People’s Party has demanded restoration of a political system in the country at the earliest by transferring power to the elected representatives after holding free and fair elections.

Speaking at a press conference, the Sindh PPP President, Nisar Ahmad Khuhro, said the PPP would take part in the elections at all costs so that democratic institutions be restored.

Flanked by party leaders Manzoor Wasan, Lal Bux Bhutto, Pir Ghulam Rasool Shah, Abdul Ghafoor Nizamani, Muzaffar Ali Shujra, Rashid Rabbani, Habib Junedi and others, Mr Khuhro termed the last two-year performance of the government dismal.

To another question, Mr Khuhro said that the PPP had been making the demand of restoring a democratic system and holding free and fair elections through an independent election commission whenever the government established contact with the party leadership.

He said another year had elapsed without any system in the country. In the year 2001, the economy nose-dived and the country was over-burdened under further loans without providing any relief to the people, he said and added that from tomorrow Pakistan would be entering the third year with the hope of proceeding towards a political system but its possibilities had been dwindling.

The country, he said, was already three months behind the schedule given to the people. Computerised ID cards, which were costing Rs 100 per person, have not yet been issued despite a lapse of two years, he said, adding the vacancies in the election commission were yet to be filled.

He said people demand free and fair elections and not NADRA-style elections. Likewise, he said, the government had failed to announce whether new constituencies would be created and why proposals had not been be invited from people if elections had to be held as per schedule in October 2002, why two provincial governors had issued statements that weather would not be conducive for holding elections in their provinces. He said the remaining governors of two provinces could come out with statements that in view of Indian threat and situation on the borders, how could the elections be held.

Demanding holding of elections even before the announced schedule, Mr Khuhro gave examples of Sri Lanka, Iran, India and Bangladesh where despite incidents of terrorism, insurgency in different states, boycott and emergency, elections were held.

Besides, there were talks about constitutional packages and declaring himself to be the next president. All these matters indicated that either they had no trust in people or they want to avoid elections.