September 5, 2002	Thursday	Jamadi-us-Saani26,1423

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 4: The former prime minister and chairperson Pakistan People‘s Party, Benazir Bhutto, has apprised the chief election commissioner of the illegal transfers taking place in Sindh, with a view to carry out rigging in the October elections, and demanded action to ensure transparent and fair elections.

In a letter addressed to Irshad Hassan Khan, the former premier wrote: “I am writing to alert you that a conspiracy is afoot to order wide-scale transfer of officials in Sindh with a view to rig the elections further.

“The changes are planned in the district officer corp as well as the police group. I refer to your declaration made on July 23 that there will be no further changes in the administration.

“Unfortunately, such changes did take place and we are still waiting for action to be taken on those changes. Now more changes are being threatened which is an open contempt of the Election Commission of Pakistan.”

Informing the CEC of the threat by the government to the PPP Parliamentarians’ candidates, she wrote: “Moreover, PPP candidates are being hauled up and threatened with action for filing under the PP (Parliamentarians) banner.’’