LAHORE, March 20: Taking exception to reports that Gen Musharraf plans to hold a referendum in May to have himself elected president, the PPP decided here on Wednesday to mobilize the people to thwart the move.

Benazir Bhutto’s political secretary Naheed Khan, who presided over a meeting at the residence of Malik Javed Shahbaz Heera, told reporters that referendum was an unconstitutional method and should Gen Musharraf decide to occupy the prestigious office he should first take off his uniform and then wait for at least two years to be eligible to contest any election.

Asked if a serving general was disqualified from contesting the election for the office of the president, what methodology was in the mind of the PPP chairperson when she had asked Gen Musharraf to talk to her party if he aspired for the presidency, Ms Khan said the PPP had never discussed any personal matter with the military rulers.

According to her, whenever some PPP leader met Gen Musharraf, he demanded the establishment of an independent and autonomous election commission, preparation of computerized voters’ lists, restraint from amending the constitution and release of all political prisoners. Never ever, she claimed, had the return of Ms Bhutto to Pakistan or the release of Mr Asif Zardari been the subject of talks.

Replying to a question whether election held under the supervision of the military government would be acceptable to the PPP, Ms Khan said her party had presented a comprehensive package to the government to ensure free and fair elections. She hoped that under enormous international pressure the government would have to hold the elections in October.

She said the PPP and the PML(N) were the biggest parties and the government should hold talks with them on internal problems and external challenges facing the country.

When it was pointed out that Gen Musharraf had repeatedly said that Ms Bhutto and Mian Nawaz Sharif would not be allowed to take part in the elections, she said the PPP chairperson had neither been convicted nor disqualified by any court of law. Thus, she argued, she had the right to contest elections.

About the possibility of an alliance between the PPP and the PML(N), Ms Khan said no constructive talks had so far been held on the subject although the PPP received messages from the other side.

“Except for the PPP which had welcomed it, all parties in the ARD have reservations about the appointment of Justice Irshad Hasan Khan as the Chief Election Commissioner. After this what’s the justification for the PPP to still demand the establishment of an independent and autonomous election commission? a reporter asked.

Ms Khan said Justice Khan’s attitude in all dealings with the PPP had been reasonable after which there was no need for her party to oppose his appointment. However, she said, a wrong procedure had been adopted to appoint Justice Khan as the CEC.

Justice Khan, she said, had been assuring that the elections would be free and fair.

She said the PPP chairperson would come back much before the elections. The date for her return would be set by the party’s Central Executive Committee, she said.

Ms Khan said the PPP would take an active part in the March 23 public meeting to be held outside Mochi Gate.