26 July 2004	Monday	08 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

ATTOCK, July 25: The Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) chief co-ordinator, Malik Hakmeen Khan and PML-N leader Sheikh Aftab Ahmed have cast doubts on the abilities of Shaukat Aziz in running the affairs of the country smoothly.

Speaking at a forum of the Central Union of Journalists (CUJ) in Attock, the two leaders said how could Shaukat Aziz run the affairs of the state in future if he could not succeed in developing national consensus among the provinces on the NFC award and alleviate poverty within a period of four-and-a-half years.

They said the only way to rid the country of lawlessness and poverty was to bring back exiled leaders of the main political parties, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. He said the Constitution should be restored and fair elections held.

PML-N central leader Sheikh Aftab Ahmed said the country was passing through a crucial phase as it was faced with internal and external threats. He said the government had failed to provide basic amenities to the people.

He said the PML-N would continue to struggle under the banner of the ARD for the restoration of real democracy in the country. The chief coordinator of the ARD, Malik Hakmeen, said the PPP would continue its struggle for democratic principles and against dictatorship.

He appreciated the efforts of scholars, journalists and writers who rendered efforts for the supremacy of democracy. The ARD will move on with its mission and those who think that democratic struggle will cease, are living in a world of fantasy.

He thanked the MMA leadership for reposing confidence in the ARD candidate Dr Sikandar Hayat and withdrawing their candidate from by-elections in NA-59 constituency.

He claimed that the ARD with the alliance of MMA and support of people would defeat PML candidate Shaukat Aziz despite the backing of government functionaries including the district government.

Replying to a question, Malik Hakmeen said election campaign would soon be started and media analysts invited to visit the constituency during the elections so that any effort by the regime to rig the polls could be exposed. Sheikh Aftab Ahmed said there was no difference between the PPP and PML-N about the election campaign of ARD's candidate.