KARACHI, Dec 19: Begum Abida Hussain, who recently joined the Pakistan Peoples Party, has said the party and other components of the ARD (Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy) were gearing up for elections.
She said there are indications General Pervez Musharraf might opt for early elections.
We will not give the commando the advantage of catching us napping, she said on Tuesday adding that General Musharraf would like to spring a surprise and could call for elections in March or April. Talking to newsmen at the residence of PML(Q) Women Wing’s Central Vice President Ms Rahat Javed, she said the second option with him was to call elections in July or August while the third option was hold it next year.
Referring to General Musharraf’s speech in Khanewal, in which he vowed to build Kalabagh Dam, introduce bullet trains and several other development projects, she termed the promises a ploy to hoodwink the people of the area which she said was a stronghold of her husband, Fakhr Imam, who had also joined the PPP.
She said Musharraf had showed he was partisan by soliciting people’s support for those who supported him and were personally loyal to the military ruler.
Criticising Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhri Pervez Ellahi’s remarks that he and his party would elect Musharraf as many times as he stood for the top slot, even in uniform, she said this showed the inner weakness of the PML(Q) leadership. If it has to be decided by Musharraf, then let his inner voice guide him whether Musharraf will respond to the call to respect the peoples’ will or will he listen to the self seekers who have joined the band wagon of a military-led dispensation.
Commenting on General Musharraf’s declaration that he would not allow Ms Benazir Bhutto and Mian Nawaz Sharif to return to Pakistan and take part in the elections, she said it is for the people to decide and not an individual. She rejected the notion that return of the two opposition leaders would destabilise Pakistan and claimed that they were not interested in doing any such thing because they want elections to be held without any pressure and under a government of national consensus comprising all parties and the election results to be announced by the returning officers directly. She said if General Musharraf was not afraid of the people’s verdict, then he should accept this suggestion openly and without any ifs and buts.
Referring to the emerging political situation, she said the PPP had the advantage in rural Punjab and the name of Bhutto evoked emotions in the hearts and minds of the poor and the downtrodden. The PML(N) she said had support in the urban areas, especially among industrialists and the business community. The ARD,, she said would contest the elections in accordance with the spirit of Charter of Democracy.
Replying to a question she said the differnces between the MQM and the PML(Q) in Punjab was part of General Musharraf’s game plan of divide and rule. He wanted both the parties to remain in perpetual fear of each other, especially when some sections of the ruling dispensation felt that Chaudhrys needed to be reined in because they had become very strong in Punjab and becoming unmanageable.
Responding to a question about the PPP’s indication of contesting elections even under General Musharraf, she replied that the party had spelt out certain pre-conditions, while not giving up the option of boycott if the situation so demanded.
She also referred to her meetings with the American leaders and said that their thinking was undergoing a change. She said during her meetings, she pleaded the case of democratic political parties and urged them not to support dictatorship.
Central Joint Secretary PML(N) Jamshed Ahmed and social worker Sadia Rahat joined the PPP on the occasion.
