ISLAMABAD, Feb 18: The Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) has called an all parties conference (APC) here on February 27 to discuss the prevailing political situation in the country and to finalize future strategy regarding launching of anti-government movement.

This was announced by ARD Chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim while briefing the reporters about the decisions taken at an emergency meeting of the heads of the component parties of the alliance here on Saturday.

PML-N chairman Raja Zafarul Haq, ARD secretary-general Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, vice-president Tehmina Daultana, information secretary Syed Zafar Ali Shah, PML-N information secretary Siddiqul Farooque, ARD coordinator Malik Hakmin Khan and JWP Senator Amanullah Kanrani were also present on the occasion.

Mr Fahim said that all political parties, excluding the ruling party and its allies, would be invited to the APC. “We will announce schedule for public meetings and rallies against the government throughout the country,” he added.

Replying to a question, Mr Fahim said the ARD would fully participate in the Sunday’s protest rally of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) against the publication of blasphemous cartoons by European newspapers. He said the government had no courage to lodge a strong protest with the countries where these cartoons were published.

Mr Fahim alleged that the army which was responsible to defend the country and its people was busy in killing its own people in Balochistan and Waziristan.

Speaking on the occasion, Raja Zafarul Haq said that several meetings had been held between the ARD and the MMA and a common ground had been prepared for launching of a movement for the restoration of democracy in the country.

The ARD leaders also passed four resolutions in the meeting reiterating their resolve to launch ‘remove Pervez Musharraf movement’ to safeguard interests of the people, restore the constitution and save the country from further devastation.

“The meeting feels that the use of armed forces by Gen Pervez Musharraf for personal interests as against the interests of the country threatens national security and the institution of the armed forces itself.

“The meeting feels that he (Gen Musharraf) often uses corps commanders’ conferences for controversial political objectives, which is highly condemnable.”

The ARD leaders in their resolution said that “with repeated extension of his own tenure as chief of the army staff (COAS), Gen Musharraf has blocked promotion of deserving officers, which was a matter of serious concern.

“The meeting, therefore, demands that the armed forces be delinked with politics forthwith, they should be confined to defence of the country, and a whole time COAS be appointed,” says the resolution.

Through another resolution, the ARD leaders condemned the military operations in Balochistan, Bajaur, Waziristan and other tribal areas.

“The meeting feels that Pakistan has lost all security under Gen Musharraf and his government. Indeed, Gen Musharraf has become a security risk, and his removal from power is inevitable,” it adds.

The ARD leaders also expressed “anger” at publication of blasphemous caricatures in Denmark and other European countries and demanded unqualified apology by the concerned governments.

“The meeting is of the opinion that hidden hands of the government were behind the incidents of arson and killing of two demonstrators in Lahore on February 14. We condemn this operation and demand release of PML-N leaders Khawaja Saad Rafiq and Zaeem Qadri as well as hundreds of PML-N and PPP workers arrested under false charges,” it adds.

The meeting demanded that all obstacles in the return of PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif and PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto, be removed forthwith, so that they could rescue the country from its present plight with popular support.