SUKKUR, April 4: The leader of the opposition in the senate, Raza Rabbani, has blamed the government for using state machinery to crush political struggles. Talking to journalists at the circuit house here on Monday evening, he termed arrests of Pakistan Oppressed Nations Movement activists unlawful and said the matter would be taken up in the senate.

He said if the government did not release arrested political workers, a senate session would be requisitioned to discuss the matter.

The PPP leader said arrests of Ponam workers in predawn raids reminded of the Gen Ziaul Haq regime.

He also condemned arrest of Senator Raza Mohammad in Peshawar on March 31. He regretted that not only the senator, but 40 other activists were also arrested and tortured by police.

He accused the government of using anti-terrorism laws in a negative way. He said if the laws were continued to be used against political opponents, the matter would be discussed in the senate.

Mr Rabbani stressed the need for modifying anti-terrorism courts and added the joint opposition would talk to the government in this regard.

He said complaints were being received regarding excesses against jailed Ponam and MMA workers. He said the government should take notice of it.

Replying to a question, he said though his party was against the 17th constitutional amendment but since the two-third majority of parliament had approved it, it was better than the Legal Framework Order, prepared by a single person.

He further said when political parties had taken part in the general elections under the LFO, there was no harm in taking part in elections under the 17th amendment. He, however, said the 17th amendment could not stop Benazir Bhutto from becoming the prime minister for the third time.

Answering another question, he said committees formed by the ARD and the MMA for a united struggle against the government were holding talks regularly but there were ideological differences between the PPP and the MMA.

He, however, said the two alliances could work together for restoration of democracy, the 1973 Constitution and supremacy of parliament and against dual offices of the president.

FORUM: A ‘Regional Forum for Good Governance’ is being formed under the direct guidance of the provincial ombudsman, Mr Yousuf Jamal.

According to an official press statement issued here on Monday, the forum will work in Sukkur, Khairpur, Ghotki and Shikarpur districts.