19 June 2004	Saturday	30 Rabi-us-Saani 1425

ISLAMABAD, June 18: The All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), an umbrella organization of the minorities, said the move to hold local government polls on separate electorate basis was aimed at segregating the minorities from the mainstream politics in the country.

"We condemn this move because it would clearly divide the society and will add to the deprivations of minorities, which already feel threatened and victimized," Mr Bhatti said.

If implemented, he added, this move would enhance the sense of insecurity and injustice among the minorities. "Besides, we feel that this is against the fundamentals of the ideology of Pakistan and in direct clash with the ideas of Quaid- i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah," Mr Bhatti maintained.

"This is a strange move because it aims at clearly dividing the society at a time when there is very strong need to promote and encourage the spirit of nationalism, unity and equality among the masses," he said.

He said it was a longstanding demand of the minorities to include them in the mainstream politics and they should not be treated as the second or third class citizens of the country.