January 30, 2007	Tuesday	Muharram 10, 1428

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NOWSHERA, Jan 29: Tehrik-i-Insaaf chief Imran Khan has said his party, Jamaat-i-Islami and the Pakistan Muslim League-N have agreed to start a `decisive’ movement against the Musharraf government.

“Politicians should approach the masses for removal of Gen Pervez Musharraf because giving him further time will be disastrous for the country,” Mr Khan said while addressing a public meeting in Jehangira here on Sunday night and later a press conference at the residence of Qazi Hussain Ahmad where Mr Ahmad’s son Asif Luqman Qazi was also present.

Mr Khan said an independent judiciary and election commission and restoration of the 1973 Constitution were imperative for establishing a true democracy in the country.

“If all political parties are willing to participate in polls under Gen Musharraf and in presence of the present Election Commission, we will also participate because we will follow the decision of the opposition parties,” Mr Khan said.

He said a multi-party conference would be held soon, which would be participated by his party, PML-N, JI and other political parties. “All religious and political parties have now to decide whether they will continue to believe in deal with Gen Musharraf or will work for restoration of democracy,” Mr Khan emphasised.

He claimed that the coming general election would be a big fraud with the nation because Gen Musharraf had already started pre-poll rigging.

“Gen Musharraf is openly canvassing for his supporters and the Election Commission is acting like a silent spectator,” he said.

The PTI chief said the government had failed on all fronts. He said the trade deficit was increasing and the number of suicides due to unemployment was on the rise. “The law and order situation is deteriorating with each passing day.”

He regretted that institutions were on the decline. The Supreme Court had been ordering recovery of missing people, but to no avail. The apex court had banned kite flying, but Gen Musharraf had announced that Basant would be celebrated, he added.

“Army personnel have been inducted in all departments, which has badly affected the performance of the army. Army officials are mainly interested in acquiring properties, instead of serving the country,” he alleged.

Mr Khan said the government had turned Pakistan into a colony of the US. He said US forces had been killing people in Bajaur and Waziristan. He regretted that the government had owned the killing of its citizens in Bajaur and Waziristan whereas in fact the aerial strikes had been conducted by the US.