May 31, 2002	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 18,1423

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ISLAMABAD, May 30: The central executive committee of the six- party, pro-Musharraf National Alliance has called upon all the political parties, including the Pakistan People’s Party and the Pakistan Muslim League (N), to prepare themselves for the October polls instead of creating hurdles in their way.

Briefing newsmen after a meeting here on Wednesday, the alliance’s secretary-general said the heads of both the parties must return to the country and face the cases registered against them.

The meeting, presided over by Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, was attended by Ajmal Khattak, Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari, Mumtaz Bhutto, Mohammad Ali Durrani, Anwar Alvi, Syed Khalilur Rahman Chishti, Mehmud Hashmi, Afzal Hayat and Ihsanullah Khan.

It was the third consecutive meeting from which Pakistan Awami Tehrik Chief Tahirul Qadri, who did not attend the political leaders’ last meeting with President Gen Pervez Musharraf, chose to stay away. He was reported to have departed for Umra this time.

The alliance appealed to the European Union, the United States and the international community to stop India from destroying peace in the region and avert the possibility of a nuclear war.

It appreciated the decision of sending special envoys to foreign countries to brief the world leaders about the potential Indian war threats and the situation arising from the Kashmir dispute.

The meeting appointed a constitution committee, comprising Mehmud Hashmi, Allah Bachaio Leghari, Aila Malik, Hashim Raza and Abid Gilani.

The National Alliance welcomed Gen Musharraf’s announcement about the election schedule, and appealed to the nation to get united to face any external threats.