KARACHI, July 19: The central leader of the Pakistan People’s Party and leader of the opposition in the Senate, Senator Raza Rabbani, said on Thursday that his party would not come to power through the backdoor since it believes that only a democratically elected government can solve the citizenry’s problems.

At a press conference held at the party’s central secretariat, Mr Rabbani maintained that the PPP has made great sacrifices while defending democracy and resisting dictatorship, and that it has never compromised on its principles.

Condemning Tuesday’s suicide bombing in Islamabad, the PPP leader emphasised that the government could not subdue party workers through coercive means and called for the set-up of a judicial inquiry commission comprised of judges of the Supreme Court. He also spoke out against the violent incidents in Hangu and Hub and pointed out that the worsening security situation reflects the military’s government’s repeated failure to impose control. Mr Rabbani urged the rulers to resign so that elections could be held under a national consensus caretaker set-up, and expressed the view that an elected government alone is capable of countering extremism.

Stressing upon the need for political dialogue, Mr Rabbani said that the use of force only complicates issues. In reply to a question, he conceded that the PPP had held talks with the government over the mode of the transfer of power, and insisted that no power-sharing is on the cards. He also clarified that he has no issues with the PPP and remains loyal to its leadership.

Answering another question, the senator maintained that “the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) still exists, as does the All-Parties Democratic Movement (APDM).” He reiterated that the PPP and all the other opposition parties will resist President General Pervez Musharraf’s re-election through the current assemblies.”

Referring to the Lal Masjid operation, Mr Rabbani stated categorically that his party opposes religious extremism but condemns the excessive use of force during Operation Silence, which led to the deaths of women and children.

The press conference was also attended by Waqar Mehdi and Afaq Shahid.