ABBOTTABAD, Feb 9: Omar Asghar Khan, chief organizer of the Qaumi Jamhoori Party, said here on Thursday his party would bridge the gap between party workers and leadership and maintain equality among all ranks.

Addressing newsmen at the Abbottabad Press Club, he said the QJP would introduce a new political culture in the country, and added its leadership had decided to organize the party on a sound footing throughout the country. “A mass contact campaign has been launched for the purpose.” The former federal minister was flanked by party’s provincial chief and local office-bearers.

Omar said a final draft of the party manifesto would be made public in due course of time. The leadership, he added, would focus on all those segments of the society who were previously ignored by the political parties.

Talking about the role of middle class in the national affairs, he said due to the new local government setup, 70 per cent representation of lower class had been recorded in the local governments, and demanded special relaxation for workers and women who might contest the elections.

He also demanded reduction of the voters’ age limit from 21 years to 18 years as they were allowed to cast votes in the local government elections.

Regarding the delimitation of new constituencies, Omar said there should be no political interference in the process.

If any member of the local governments was interested in contesting the next general elections, he must resign his membership at least three months prior to holding of the elections, he further said.

When his attention was drawn to the role of army in the Anti-Terrorism Courts, the QJP chief organizer said the formation of such courts was need of the hour. While paying tributes to President Gen Pervez Musharraf over his policies, the former federal minister said India should accept the talk offers made by Pakistan in the best interest of the region.