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

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

ISLAMABAD, Sept 4: Alliance for Restoration of Democracy is meeting on Thursday to discuss matters pertaining to the election campaign in light of rejection of nomination papers of Pakistan People’s Party Chairperson Benazir Bhutto and withdrawal of Pakistan Muslim League leader Nawaz Sharif from the contest, sources said.

Before the meeting of heads of the ARD components, presided over by Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan, a team of the alliance will discuss its grievances about the alleged pre-poll rigging by the military regime with the European Union observers mission.

All the major political parties, including ARD members, Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, Pakistan Awami Tehrik and even Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf seem to be inclined towards forging a common platform on one-point agenda of showing the army an honourable exit, a source told Dawn.

Although there is no proof that Jamaat-i-Islami Amir Qazi Hussain Ahmed has gone to Jeddah to meet the Sharif family and the party has contradicted reports in this regard, a party leader confided to this scribe that “there can be a chance meeting during Umra.”

Qazi Hussain had held a lengthy meeting with President Gen Pervez Musharraf but details of the matters discussed have not come out so far from either side.

The ARD will consider, among other things, expansion of cooperation with other like-minded groups and parties for the elections and to work out seat adjustments within the alliance to accommodate the leaders of some smaller parties.

The alliance will take stock of the differences emerging between PPP and PML on seat adjustments in constituencies where heavyweights are contesting from both the parties.

It will also discuss possibilities of a boycott of the elections if the opposition as a whole decides to do so in light of the government’s actions aimed at ensuring victory of its favourite party.

Nawabzada Nasrullah has refuted reports that boycott of the polls was under consideration but sources indicate that all options, including launching of a forceful movement against the military government, would be mulled.

The atmosphere has also become charged after the rejection of the nomination papers of PTI Chairman Imran Khan from two constituencies.

PTI Information Secretary Akbar S. Babar said that if the military regime kept patronising the so-called king’s party through the “Gujrat mafia” and sidelining the mainstream parties, there will be no alternative left but to join hands with opposition on the agenda of ousting the rulers.

“However, my party will challenge the returning officer’s decision in the election tribunal with expectations of a decision in our favour,” he said.