August 24, 2007	Friday	Sha’aban 10, 1428

QUETTA, Aug 23: The Awami National Party’s executive committee approved the formation of the Pukhtunkhwa National Democratic Alliance (PNDA), joining the All Parties’ Democratic Movement and participation in the Pakistan-Afghan Jirga.

In a meeting held here, the committee stressed that all issues should be resolved peacefully.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting on Thursday, ANP chief Senator Asfandyar Wali Khan welcomed the verdict of the Supreme Court allowing Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leader Nawaz Sharif to return to the country. He said that the government should respect the decision so that Nawaz Sharif, his brother Shahbaz Sharif and Pakistan People’s Party leader Benazir Bhutto could play their role to strengthen the political and democratic institutions.

He said the committee had resolved that a collective struggle should be launched from the APDM platform against dictatorship to restore real democracy.

He said the situation in the country was more serious than the 1971 crisis and the country’s integrity could be at stake if wise decisions were not taken.

Criticising military actions in Balochistan and Waziristan, he said negotiation was the only way to tackle the problems.

He claimed that the Kabul jirga had been successful as it was aimed at removing misunderstandings and restoring confidence between Pakistan and Afghanistan.