PESHAWAR, Jan 29: The Pakistan People's Party has demanded that the government should hold free, fair and transparent polls under an independent and impartial election commission and termed it the only solution to the prevailing uncertainty in the country.

Speaking at the party's provincial co-ordination committee meeting here on Saturday, the PPP's provincial president Rahimdad Khan said the rulers had failed to provide relief to the masses since 1999. Uncontrolled price-hike had increased the suffering of people, whose purchasing power had eroded under the present regime, he said.

He said return of PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto and other exiled leaders would help restore people's confidence in national politics. He said the government could not hoodwink the masses for long through the present system.

He said political stability was necessary for meeting external pressure and challenges.

Mr Khan said stability could be achieved by bringing in a true democratic setup through free and fair election.

The PPP was the only genuine political force which could bring the country back on the democratic track as it had roots in the masses across the country, he said.

The meeting discussed the political situation in the country and expressed its concern over President Gen Pervez Musharraf holding two offices against the wishes of people.

It reviewed preparations for local bodies' election and urged the party's districts organizations to submit the names of candidates.

It asked subordinate organizations to end petty internal bickering and prepare for the election. It vowed that it would participate in the local bodies' election at all costs.

It directed to the district organizations to hold unit elections and submit lists of their office-bearers to the provincial secretariat.