KARACHI, Nov 21: The secretary-general of the PPP, Sindh, Nafees Siddiqi, said on Tuesday that establishment of a liberal, moderate and enlightened society was the manifesto of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and claims of military rulers in this regard were a farce.
He also urged the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) to respect the mandate of the elected representatives and accept the Women's Protection Bill, just like other parties had accepted the 17th constitutional amendment, passed with the support of the religious alliance.
Mr Siddiqi was speaking at a press conference during which he claimed that only Benazir Bhutto could create a liberal, moderate and enlighten society in the country.
The PPP leader said the amendment to Hudood ordinance was also the part of party’s manifesto as the PPP always struggled for women’s rights. He said that the PPP would also support amendments to other laws related with the rights of the labours, farmers and peasant.
Mr Siddiqui claimed that liberal, tolerant and democratic parties would win if elections were held in a free and fair manner. However, he warned that non-liberal forces would emerge victorious if Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif were not allowed to take part in 2007 election.
The PPP leader apprehended that the country would face a very serious crisis if such moderate and liberal leaders were stopped from contesting election. He also said that any crisis would provide ground to another dictator and advised the religious forces to review its decision of quitting the assemblies.
Mr Siddiqi said that the party believed in dialogue between all liberal forces and urged the democratic forces to unite. He said the PPP was not against the institution of the army.
Instead, it opposed army's involvement in political affairs as a result of which the country was negatively affected, he added.
