May 16, 2006	Tuesday	Rabi-us-Sani 17, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, May 15: Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal president Qazi Hussain Ahmad has welcomed the signing of the ‘Charter of Democracy’ by former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif in London but stressed the need for a joint struggle to force the Gen Pervez Musharraf regime to quit.

Talking to journalists here on Monday, he termed the agreement between the PPP and PML-N leadership on principles of democracy a good omen for future of the country.

He, however, said the stage for a decisive struggle to get rid of the military dictatorship had arrived.

He advised Ms Bhutto and Mr Sharif to return back and become a part of the movement.

The MMA chief appreciated points of the Charter of Democracy pertaining to making army and judiciary accountable before the nation, and the role of parliament and the opposition in appointment of judges and the chief election commissioner.

“We agree and fully support all contents of the Charter of Democracy and feel that it will be good for the future of democracy in the country,” he said.

Responding to a question, Mr Ahmad said: “We have already launched a movement against the military regime.”

He said the MMA and the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy had agreed on three points – getting rid of the Gen Musharraf government and setting up of an interim government, restoration of the constitution to its position of Oct 12, 1999, and setting up of an independent election commission – and it was high time that progress was made on this unanimity of views.