18 February 2004	Wednesday	26 Zilhaj 1424

ISLAMABAD, Feb 17: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has expressed concern over a statement by Sir Nigel Sheinwald in which he assured the government of Pakistan of Britain's support for readmission of Pakistan to the Commonwealth.

The PPP Foreign Liaison Committee member, Senator Rukhsana Zuberi, in a letter addressed to Commonwealth secretary-general Donald McKinnon, stated that the regime had not reached a settlement with the PPP or the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy.

She said that a leader of opposition had not yet been announced though Parliament had been elected in October 2002. Ms Zuberi said the regime had reached an agreement with the religious alliance, the Mutahidda Majlis Amal.

"Despite Gen Musharraf's statement to the contrary, his regime is promoting the strength of the religious parties at the cost of the democratic and moderate political forces," she added.

Regarding the elections held by the military regime and the illegitimacy of Gen Musharraf as president, she stated: "The PPP recalls that international observers, including the Commonwealth, found the last elections deeply flawed.

Secondly, Gen Musharraf still holds the position of the Chief of the Army Staff." The Senator said Gen Musharraf held a fraudulent referendum, which was clearly violative of the Constitution. He then made an amendment with the help of the religious parties to continue as the president after obtaining a vote of confidence in lieu of the presidential election, she added.

The PPP believes that Gen Musharraf lost the vote of confidence called in place of the presidential election this January. The PPP legal team is working on an election petition to place before the court, Ms Zuberi said. Gen Musharraf was wrongly declared the winner when, in fact, he had lost the vote of confidence, she added.