September 27, 2002	Friday	Rajab 19, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 26: Pakistan Muslim League-Q central vice- president Syed Kabir Ali Wasti, on Thursday, claimed that the People’s Party Parliamentarians, led by Makhdoom Amin Fahim, was a direct beneficiary of the government and former premier Benazir Bhutto had been offering cooperation to the government to become “king’s party”.

Briefing the diplomats of European, African and Islamic countries on the election activities, at a local hotel, he further claimed that Ms Bhutto, herself, had renamed her party.

On the occasion, he distributed copies of his party’s manifesto, lists of candidates for the national and provincial assemblies, election symbol and flag.

The PML-Q leader dismissed charges of rigging, terming them merely “election stunt”. He said those who made such allegations had been champions of rigging in polls in the past.

He said the PML-Q was a mainstream national political force and had fielded candidates in almost all constituencies of the national and provincial assemblies.

He lauded the government and the election commission for promulgation of certain new laws, which, he said, would ensure holding of fair and free election.

Mr Wasti dismissed propaganda, in which the PML-Q was being referred to as “king’s party”. He said in the absence of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, PML-N chairman Raja Zafarul Haq was also a beneficiary.

He said almost all parties had welcomed the change of October 12, 1999, and now they were making allegations just for face saving.

He said: “We do admit that our party is supporting the government after September 11 attacks, as President Musharraf is waging war against terrorism. We consider that supporting the war on terrorism is in our national interest. We are against all kinds of terrorism, militancy and fundamentalism.”