LAHORE, May 24: Alliance for Restoration of Democracy President Makhdoom Javed Hashmi has requested MMA Secretary-General Maulana Fazlur Rahman not to accept the post of leader of the opposition in the National Assembly , as his appointment will harm the opposition's unity.

"We (the ARD) have been supporting the MMA in the National legislature and it is now under a moral and political obligation to reciprocate by refusing the office of the opposition leader to make sure that it remains united," Mr Hashmi told reporters at the city's accountability court No 2 on Monday.

He was produced in court for the first time since his conviction in a sedition case last month. He was brought to the court from the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi following a court direction that he be produced in person. The court adjourned further hearing of a reference against the MNA from Multan for June 5.

The PML-N acting president is facing charges of amassing assets disproportionate to known sources of his income during the period he has been a member of the federal cabinet and the National Assembly since 1985.

He said Makhdoom Amin Fahim should have been an automatic choice for the slot, but the government did not want him for being a non-conformist. "The government wants a yes man in the office to create a hand-picked and favourable opposition," he alleged.

He said it was yet another attempt of the Musharraf regime to divide and rule. He said the acceptance of the office by the MMA might undermine the opposition, which must be avoided.

Reacting to Pakistan's re-entry to the Commonwealth, Mr Hashmi said the step negated the Commonwealth's earlier stance because democracy was yet to be restored and rule of law ensured.

He rapped the National Accountability Bureau which, he said, was the nucleus of corruption and an instrument to intimidate politicians to switch loyalties. Those who accepted it were made ministers and absolved from all charges and those who refused to budge from fighting for the rights of the people were victimized and made example for others to yield, said the ARD leader.

He said the alliance wanted a president without uniform, which was a requisite for democracy. The ARD would not compromise on basic democratic norms and continue to wage a struggle for an undiluted democratic order, he added.

Mr Hashmi paid tributes to Benazir Bhutto, Asif Ali Zardari and their party for bracing all odds in welcoming Shahbaz Sharif. He said the PML-N would reciprocate as and when Benazir Bhutto announced her return home.