June 1, 2006	Thursday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 4, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, May 31: PML (N) secretary information Ahson Iqbal on Wednesday claimed that the Charter of Democracy had perturbed the government to such an extent that it had started harassing political opponents through security agencies.

Addressing a press conference at PML House he said such tactics would never demoralise them. “We are ready to sacrifice for democracy.”

Narrating his story he said on Tuesday night when he was returning after giving an interview to a private TV channel he was chased by secret agencies personnel. He managed to escape with the help of senior journalists of the private channel and some other media persons.

He said that these tactics clearly showed that the government was aware of its imminent defeat in the next elections. It had proved that the incumbent government was not democratic but authoritarian and despotic. He said the rulers had been alarmed by the CoD which, he claimed, would prove a landmark document aimed at bringing democracy back to the country.

Responding to a question, he said that the political role of secret agencies should be done away with. These agencies should be institutionalised in order to strengthen their working and enable them to detect and forestall sabotage activities in the country.

“If General Musharraf want to get me arrested he should bring proof against me in the court but these secret agencies should not be used and politicised,” the PML leader said.

He termed the present government an illegal, unconstitutional as it snatched power from a democratically-elected government. The general who had claimed that he would change the fate of the country has destroyed everything, he noted. People were haunted by price-hike, unemployment, poverty, he said. Instead of paying heed to solving these problems, the general had launched an harassment campaign against the opponents, he deplored.

Speaking on the occasion, central vice president PML (N) Mushahidullah Khan explained the salient features of the Charter of Democracy. He termed it a historic dossier which would go a long way in putting democracy back on track. It is not only the wish of the leaders but it reflects the aspirations of all people, he said. It sent shock waves in the government quarters and that is why it has started harassment of political leaders. The charter received appreciation not only from people at home but was highly praised by leaders in neighbouring countries, he claimed.

Mr Khan said the government had miserably failed in all respects. Things are slipping away from the general’s control compelling him to turn to other ways, he alleged. He pledged their struggle for the restoration of democracy would continue till the overthrow of the what he termed the present dictatorial government.

President ARD Makhdoom Javed Hashmi in a statement on Wednesday also accused the government of harassing him and planning to kill him and Dr Qadeer Khan in their lock-ups.