June 20, 2006	Tuesday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 23, 1427

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QUETTA, June 19: Newly elected PONM president Mahmood Khan Achakzai has demanded that an interim government comprising judges of superior judiciary who had not taken oath under the PCO should hold elections and hand over powers to elected civilians.

Speaking at a press conference at the MPA hostel after a two-day meeting of the central council of the alliance, he said that political stability was linked to participation of oppressed nationalities in decision making at government level.

Sardar Ataullah Khan Mengal, Dr Hayee Baloch, Dr Qadir Magsi, Abdul Majid Kanjo, Gul Muhammad Jakrani, Sardar Akhtar Mengal, Ghulam Rasool Gormani, Zain Shah and Mukhtar Yousufzai were also present with him.

Mr Achakzai said that the PONM would take decision at appropriate time whether or not to participate in polls if held under present setup. He said political parties and people believed that fair and transparent elections were not possible under Musharraf government.

While referring to the presidential referendum, role of money in the Senate elections and government’s interference in district nazims polls, he said that unfair means in elections had shaken the confidence of voters and now they doubt honesty of the government.

The PONM chief claimed that the basic reason of downfall of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was that he had held unfair elections. He said the PONM would accept results of fair polls by interim set up even if its candidates were defeated.

He said that the PONM would form democratic front with the ARD and the MMA on one point agenda, i.e., collective struggle against political role of army and intelligence agencies.

About armed resistance in Dera Bugti and Kohlu and rocket attacks in various parts of the province Mr Achakzai said the violence was reaction to injustices.

He said that Pakistan was passing through a critical phase and the government should take cautious decisions.

Mr Achakzai declared that PONM charter clearly demanded framing of new constitution according to the Lahore resolution of March 23, 1940 so that the Balochs, Pakhtuns, Sindhis and Seraikis should get control over their resources.

He announced that the central council of the PONM had elected Sardar Akhtar Mengal, Zain Shah, Ghulam Rasool Gormani and Mukhtar Yousufzai as presidents of Balochistan, Sindh, Seraiki belt and the NWFP, respectively.