ISLAMABAD, Sept 18: As many as 12 politicians, including some veteran figures, here on Saturday launched a new political front with a view to striving for the revival of the 1973 Constitution in its original form.

The National Democratic Front (NDF) consists of some veteran politicians, including Air Marshal (retired) Mohammad Asghar Khan, former National Assembly speaker Elahi Baksh Soomro, Mian Mohammad Azhar and Sardar Wazir Ahmed Jogazai

A press conference in connection with the launching of NDF was held here at the residence of Asghar Khan. The front members also pledged to fight for the freedom of judiciary on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Elahi Baksh Soomro said the administrative committees of the NDF would be formed at all the provinces and even abroad. Citing the reasons behind the formation of the new front, he said they had received a large number of letters and e-mails from countrymen and overseas Pakistanis to form the new front and fight for the rights of the people, because masses wanted a change.

Responding to a query, Asghar Khan said the front had a good agenda, but no deadline could be given for converting the front into a political party.

He said keeping the slot of president and chief of army staff simultaneously was not in accordance with the 1973 Constitution, however, if President Musharraf wanted to keep both the slots "it is not a big issue then".

However, when asked whether the front would join MMA in its long march, which the religious alliance had threatened to hold if Gen Musharraf did not take off uniform, Mian Mohammad Azhar said: "MMA has its own way and we have our own". Other NDF members present on the occasion were Justice (retired) Mian Burhanuddin, Justice (retired) Ali Hussain Qazalbash, Syed Nusrat Ali Shah, Tariq Chaudhry, Dr Dildar Ahmed Qadri, Nazim F Haji and Shakir Boneri.