May 13, 2006	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 14, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, May 12: Acting parliamentary leader of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan says political development of a ‘different kind’ may overtake next election like the agitation that toppled Field Marshal Ayub Khan’s government in 1969.

Talking to Dawn on Thursday before his departure to the United Kingdom for the signing ceremony of the ‘charter of democracy’, Mr Khan blamed what he called the government’s policy to force its political opponents to the wall for leading the country to such a situation.

He said free and fair election could not be held under President Pervez Musharraf and the charter of democracy due to be signed by former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif in London on Sunday would accelerate the opposition’s movement for change.

Mr Khan said western diplomats and officials who had met opposition politicians recently seemed sure the next election would be free and fair but he had shared his reservations with them.

“I told them that it is ridiculous to accept free and fair elections under a chief of army staff who is also masquerading as president of the country,” he said.

“Come 2007 or 2008, he will have made himself secure through some charade and a caretaker set-up and free and fair elections will only be a facade,” he said. “We have no misconceptions about the next elections if they are held under Gen Musharraf.”

“The day he holds free and fair elections, he will be history,” the PML-N leader said, adding: “A parliament which comes through free and fair election will impeach him. So how can he have free and fair elections?”