ISLAMABAD, April 27: The Pakistan People’s Party discussed a number of issues, including the LFO controversy, and suggested certain amendments to it at its meeting in Dubai on Sunday.
The party demanded removal of the graduation clause from the LFO, supported the devolution plan, election of women on the basis of votes obtained by a party rather than on the basis of the seats obtained in the assemblies, and the joint electorate system, says a press statement issued by the party’s media cell here.
The party also decided to oppose amendments made to the Constitution after October 1999, and restoration of the anti-defection law as existed in the Constitution before the dissolution of assemblies.
TIES WITH MMA: The party said despite differences with the MMA ideologically it would support the alliance on common national issues, including the LFO issue and other constitutional matters. It was decided that on national issues involving parliament and civic society, a common approach would be worked out with all those who supported the national agenda.
The party expressed concern over rising poverty and unemployment in the country.
MINORITIES: The party noted that minorities must be fully protected as equal citizens.
Compliments were paid to the lawyers and their representative body Pakistan Bar Association for their firm stand against the LFO, the rejection of Gen Musharraf as President and the referendum.
The party stressed the need for inducting more women into the main organizations. Women should be available for decision-making in the parliamentary committees.
The party chairperson stressed the need for a parliamentary structure that should include the parliamentary leader, two deputy parliamentary leaders, chief whip, two deputy whips, coordinator of groups of eight to ten MNAs.
It was also decided that the speaker would be asked to route invitations through the leader and deputy leaders of parliamentary parties.
SHADOW CABINET: The meeting proposed to establish a shadow cabinet which would ensure that its proposals were kept with the policy planning committees of the party.
The meeting praised those members who rejected ministries and decided that the PPP would not give tickets to those defectors who changed loyalty for ministries.
It was decided that senate candidates would give a list of persons they suspected of not having voted for them. This would enable the party to carry out further inquiry into the subject.
It was felt that the southern Punjab (Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan and Bahawalpur divisions) party organizations were in a shambles. It was decided that party bodies of these three divisions would be reorganized and strengthened. It was also decided that the Rawalpindi city organization would be reformed.
OKARA TENANTS: The party reaffirmed its support to the Okara military farms tenants who had become victims of the land-grabbing elements.
The PPP called for an independent inquiry into the excesses committed against the tenants and action against those who abused their offices to grab land from the rightful owners. It was decided to form two committees to help the tenants.
The meeting was informed that a hunger strike against the LFO would be observed in every district headquarters on April 29.
It was noted that a fair election could only be held when the establishment was neutral or impartial. In the last few elections, the PPP has had to face both the opponent party as well as hundreds of people employed by the establishment. These people rig the elections.
The party’s policy with US would depend on issues. It supported the US fight against militancy. However, the party has reservation on the policy of pre-emption and of military action without the UN approval.
The meeting condemned the continued incarceration of Asif Zardari. It condemned the agony and torture that was meted out to Mr Zardari.
The party demanded that the false cases against Benazir Bhutto and other political leaders should be withdrawn and the persecution ended.
Dear visitor, the comments section is undergoing an overhaul and will return soon.