September 21, 2007	Friday	Ramazan 08, 1428

LARKANA, Sept 20: The chairperson of Pakistan People’s Party (Shaheed Bhutto), Ms Ghinwa Bhutto, on Thursday expressed doubts about the transparency of general elections amidst reports of ‘deal’ and said that even the presence of United Nations observers and personnel of police and rangers would fail to ensure the polls were held in a free and fair manner.

She said at the 11th death anniversary of Mir Murtaza Bhutto in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto that Ms Benazir Bhutto’s understanding with army had led to threats to her brother’s life.

She said that the family had been waiting for justice for the past 11 years but even Supreme Court of Pakistan had not yet taken any notice of this blatant injustice. The slow pace of proceedings, in contravention to Sindh High Court’s orders, had helped the accused get bail and they (police officers and Zardari) were subsequently not only released but also promoted, Ms Ghinwa said.

She said that Ms Benazir Bhutto was even prepared to wind up this case in her talks with President Musharraf. Why had she been reluctant to abolish cases against Mir Murtaza Bhutto and party workers during her rule, she asked.

She said that all the politicians right from Qazi Hussain Ahmed to Ms Benazir Bhutto were dancing to the tune of America. They were hypocrites she alleged.

She said that the democracy would not come about through signing a charter of democracy or striking ‘deals’. The change was must while the uniform was not an issue, she insisted.

At the conclusion of the programme the gathering passed a number of resolutions expressing concern over operation in Balochistan and clashes between people and army in the NWFP.

A resolution demanded that the government should release all the political prisoners and frame pro-people domestic and foreign policies. Sindh should be given 50 per cent royalty of its natural resources and provincial autonomy guaranteed under 1973’s Constitution.

In another resolution the PPP-SB demanded reopening the case of Shaheed Z.A.Bhutto. Pakistan People’s Party, meanwhile, observed the 11th death anniversary of Mir Murtaza Bhutto and organised Quran Khwani at the Naudero residence of Ms Benazir Bhutto.